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Julian, a drug-smuggler thriving in Bangkok’s criminal underworld, sees his life get even more complicated when his mother compels him to find and kill whoever is responsible for his brother’s recent death (IDMB).
Director:
Writer:
ONLY GOD FORGIVES
Written by
Nicolas Winding Refn
Second draft script
With the support of the Media Programme of the European Union
The SOUND of Muay Thai boxing… The Art of Eight Limbs… Thrust
and move… Feet shuffling across the ring…
FADE IN:
INT. BACK ROOM – NIGHT
CLOSE ON a pair of hands from VARIOUS ANGLES…
The SOUNDS of the fighting grow LOUDER. Punches, kicks, elbows…
The hands tense into fists. They’re strong hands. Fighter’s hands.
ZOOM OUT TO REVEAL Julian (mid-thirties) staring at his hands.
Even though he’s kept in shape, he hasn’t fought for a long time.
The SOUND of the boxing match gets LOUDER STILL as Julian continues
staring at his hands – it’s almost as if he’s meditating. Suddenly
he breaths in.
Behind him sits a young kid dressed in Thai boxing clothes – this
is Liang, barely sixteen. He looks nervous, occasionally glancing
at Julian’s reflection through the huge mirror that hangs on the
far wall.
Julian continues to stare at his hands and closes them into a
tight fist.
CUT TO:
INT. CORRIDORS – NIGHT
The SOUNDS of the boxing match reach FEVER PITCH as we TRACK WITH
Julian and Liang making their way towards the ring.
CUT TO:
INT. THAI BOXING RING – NIGHT
Two Young Thai Boxers beat the crap out of each other.
The crowd is wild with excitement, people placing bets on which
way the fight will turn.
One of the Thai Boxers goes down and money immediately starts
changing hands…
The ring is cleared and Liang jumps in as Julian pushes his way
though the crowd, nodding at people as he passes. They know him
here.
Again bets are placed….
PICK OUT a face in the crowd. Billy. Julian’s older brother (late
thirties).
Julian sits down next to Billy who’s delighted to see him, throwing
his arm around him, pulling him in close.
BILLY
… I love violence!
Billy offers Julian a hit from his bottle of Mehkong whiskey.
Julian refuses. He’s more interested in the fight.
BACK TO THE RING where the fight has just started. Liang is
immediately on the ropes.
Julian watches, concerned.
Billy takes a phone call but he can’t hear. He nods to Julian
and takes it outside.
BACK TO THE FIGHT where Liang pulls an amazing move. Turns the
tables. Takes the bigger man down with a series of jabs, swings
and backfists.
As Julian applauds Liang’s success, Billy slinks off out of the
auditorium.
Liang wins the fight with a knock out… The crowd go wild with
adulation…
Julian watches, transfixed…
Liang is lit up by a beatific white light… As he stands triumphant
in the middle of the ring, the crowd start to gather round him…
Julian continues to stare at what’s taking place before him…
… Which is almost like a religious ceremony… The audience
bow down before Liang as he stares out into the light… A look
of calm washing over his face… A sense of stillness and peace…
Enlightenment through victory and violence…
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK STREETS – NIGHT
Billy stalks the streets of the city of vice. A man on a mission.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANGING ROOMS – NIGHT
Liang is sitting on a bench, his constantly-smiling Mother beside
him, as Julian peels off fifty Bhat notes.
We get the sense that Julian’s proud of him, that Liang is something
of a protege of his and that Liang is incredibly pleased to have
gained his approval.
JULIAN
Two fifty, three hundred…
Liang takes the money. Julian pulls off two more notes. A bonus.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
You did well out there. You’ve got
something, Liang. Potential, yeah?
Liang nods.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
Don’t spend it all in once place.
CUT TO:
EXT. BACK ALLEY – NIGHT
Billy comes down a back ally and knocks on a door. After a moment
the door opens.
The Doorman recognises him and lets him enter.
CUT TO:
INT. UNDERGROUND NIGHTCLUB – NIGHT
WE TRACK with Billy as he makes his way through the small
subterranean nightclub.
A Thai man – known as The Lizard – sits by a table with a few
locals gambling…
He spots Billy and follows him with his eyes as he continues to
gamble.
Billy moves across to a small private corner…
… where he meets various men and women, all smoking
Methamphetamine. Billy joins in but an argument quickly starts
up between him and another Thai Man.
The music’s too loud to hear what they’re arguing about but it
suddenly gets out of control… Billy starts viciously hitting
the Thai Man and quickly the room EXPLODES in a frenzy of violence.
CUT TO:
INT. BACK ROOM – NIGHT
A fan does what it can to cool Julian down as he counts out money
at his desk. Sitting opposite him, feet on the table, is Gordon,
Julian’s lieutenant and the closest thing to a friend he’s got…
Julian’s phone rings. He interrupts his counting. Picks up and
listens…
JULIAN
(ON THE PHONE)
Hold on, hold on. What did he say?
Beat as Julian listens. He glances over at Gordon who looks up,
concerned.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
(ON THE PHONE)
No, tell him to stay there. Tell them
both to stay there.
Beat.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
(ON THE PHONE)
I’m coming over.
CUT TO:
EXT. BACK ALLEY – NIGHT
The Lizard sits outside the nightclub, somehow managing to smoke
a cigarette at the same time as he stems the flow of blood from
his nose with a handkerchief.
Julian and Gordon arrive.
JULIAN
He still in there?
THE LIZARD
… No.
Beat… Julian glances at Gordon.
JULIAN
You told him I was coming…
THE LIZARD
Wouldn’t listen…
Julian stares at him…
JULIAN
Well maybe you didn’t try hard enough.
The Lizard takes the handkerchief away from his nose. Shows the
bloodstain to Julian.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
When was the last time you slept?
The Lizard smiles but stares at Julian with hatred in his eyes.
THE LIZARD
Just cause I ain’t slept for three days,
don’t mean I don’t know right from
wrong… and your brother has become
a real problem…
Again Julian stares at him – clenching his fist. The Lizard notices
this but gazes up into Julian’s face blankly.
THE LIZARD (CONT’D)
You’re not going to cause another
ruckus in my club now – are you?
A long pause as Julian considers it.
JULIAN
No.
THE LIZARD
Good – ’cause Billy ripped me off and
then he broke my face…
Julian turns to Gordon.
GORDON
Like I always said. One day he’s going
to meet the devil.
Beat.
JULIAN
You know where he is now?
The Lizard stares at Julian.
THE LIZARD
Bangkok has millions of people my
friend. You and your brother, you’re
lost to my world…
The Lizard gets up – puts out his cigarette and looks at Julian…
THE LIZARD (CONT’D)
So what you going to do? You wanna come
in? Very good amphetamine in here…
Julian looks over to Gordon. Sees he’s keen.
JULIAN
You go. I’m gonna look around. See if
I can find him.
GORDON
Sure–?
JULIAN
Go on.
He turns back to The Lizard.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
Which way’d he go?
The Lizard nods his head towards the busy street. Julian turns
and heads off… Gordon steps up to the entrance to the club.
The Lizard sticks out an arm, blocking his way.
THE LIZARD
His brother didn’t pay.
GORDON
So? That’s his problem.
THE LIZARD
Now it’s your problem.
GORDON
I’m with you mate. Billy’s fucked–
THE LIZARD
You don’t pay his debt – you don’t enter.
Gordon thinks for beat. Takes out his money…
GORDON
How much…?
…and The Lizard smiles for the first time.
CUT TO:
INT. MA LONG’S BROTHEL – NIGHT
Julian is talking to Ma Long, fifties, the mother figure to a
group of girls who stand in the background.
JULIAN
You seen Billy?
MA LONG
Not this evening.
A particularly pretty prostitute catches Juilan’s eye. He stares
at her, stone faced.
JULIAN
Well if he comes in, tell him I’m looking
for him, yeah?
MA LONG
He’s not coming in. I tell him to stay
away. He hurt one of my girls Julian.
Not good…
Julian considers. Pulls out his wad of notes again. Hands a few
to Ma Long.
JULIAN
Yeah, well… if you see him, tell him
I’m looking for him…
Ma Long nods as she takes the money.
Julian is about to leave. He looks at the pretty prostitute again.
Stares at her for a moment. Then walks out.
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK STREETS – NIGHT
Billy’s so wasted he’s bumping into people. He starts window
shopping the various brothels that line the street: groups of
girls smiling at him… Anything for a price…
PICK OUT one particularly young-looking girl. Just fifteen.
She makes eye contact with Billy… He smiles… Pulls out a roll
of notes…
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK STREETS – NIGHT
Julian out in the middle of the road. Girls on the pavement, girls
in the windows. A steady line of punters cruising past.
He stands alone. Focussed. Watchful. An island in a sea of neon.
It feels ominous. Like something really bad’s about to happen…
CUT TO:
ONLY GOD FORGIVES
FADE IN:
INT. TAXI – NIGHT
CLOSE ON Chang, mid-forties, a man who looks like he’s carved
out of stone. The neon lights bleed over his face in a seemingly
unending flow as he’s driven towards his destination.
CUT TO:
EXT. SEEDY HOTEL – NIGHT
Police cars are parked up outside. Chang gets out of his taxi.
Pays the driver. Makes his way inside.
CUT TO:
INT. SEEDY HOTEL – NIGHT
Chang makes his way up the stairs to a landing where a GROUP OF
POLICEMEN are gathered. Their circle opens up as Chang approaches
and they bow as he joins them – like he’s a God. One of the group,
Kim Han Ho, gestures towards the door of Room 610 where TWO COPS
stand guard. Chang gives a nod and the door is opened.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM 610 – NIGHT
Chang stands silhouetted in the doorway. Stepping into the room
he moves into the light in CLOSE UP. His face is a mask.
The bed is drenched in blood. The fifteen year old prostitute
lies naked on her back. She’s dead, her body having been savagely
beaten in some sort of brutal sex game gone wrong.
Billy is slumped in the corner in his underpants, his eyes glazed,
staring at MTV, a bottle of Mehkong whiskey in his hand, a crack
pipe on the floor.
Chang stares at him, giving nothing away.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM 611 – NIGHT
The Hotel Owner serves tea to Chang who sits in silence with
Lieutenant Kim. The door is open and we can see into room 610
across the corridor where Billy is still sat staring at the
television.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR – NIGHT
A young cop, Daeng, who has been watching Chang, summons up courage
to whisper to his superior officer, Phaiban.
DAENG
(IN THAI)
Who is that guy?
Phaiban says nothing.
DAENG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
Is he a cop?
PHAIBAN
(IN THAI)
He was…
Before Daeng can ask another questions, two more cops lead an
older Thai man, Choi Yan Lee (50’s, overweight, dragged straight
from his bed) down the corridor towards the crime scene.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM 611 – NIGHT
As Choi Yan Lee is delivered to the doorway, Chang gets up and
goes over to him.
A moment of uncertainty in Choi Yan Lee’s face. Fear. He doesn’t
know why he’s been brought here. He looks for some comfort from
Chang. Chang gives him nothing.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM 610 – NIGHT
Chang leads Choi Yan Lee to the doorway. Slowly Choi Yan Lee realises
what he’s looking at. His daughter. Dead. Mutilated.
Every father’s worst nightmare.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Is this your daughter?
Beat.
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
Yes.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
How could you?
… but Choi Yan Lee just stares at his daughter. Finally:
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
… What?
CHANG
(IN THAI)
How could you let this happen?
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
I didn’t do anything.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Well now’s your chance.
A long moment between them as Choi Yan Lee fails to understand
what Chang is suggesting. Chang stands back.
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
Do what thou will.
Choi Yan Lee nods. Chang leaves the room, closing the door behind
him.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM 611 – NIGHT
Chang sits drinking tea in silence with Lieutenant Kim. The guards
in the corridor stare at the closed door of Room 610 from where
we hear the cries of Billy being beaten to death.
ANGLE ON: Daeng who’s starting to look scared. Phaiban puts a
reassuring hand on his shoulder.
As the beating reaches its climax, with Choi Yan Lee screaming
out Thai obscenities, we hear the sickening sound of Billy’s neck
snapping. And then a regular thud as blow after blow rain down
on his body.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM 610 – NIGHT
Chang opens the door and looks through.
Choi Yan Lee is sitting breathlessly on the floor covered in blood.
In his hand he holds a piece of wood he has ripped from a chair.
Billy lies dead, his head completely smashed in.
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK – NIGHT
A police car drives through the city streets and onto the freeway
heading out of town.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE CAR – NIGHT
The bloodied Choi Yan Lee sits in the back, Chang on one side,
Kim on the other. As the police car turns onto a more major road,
Choi Yan Lee starts to get nervous.
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
You missed my turning. I live that way.
Beat. Chang says nothing. Phaiban is driving, Daeng in the
passenger seat. Daeng looks back at them through the rearview
mirror…
KIM
(IN THAI)
We’ll get you there.
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK – NIGHT
The Police Car heads over the Mega Bridge and continues its way
out of town.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE – NIGHT
The bright white headlights of the stationary police car blind
Choi Yan Lee who’s caught in their glare, rigid with fear.
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
I’m so sorry. Please. Please. Please
don’t hurt me. I’m so sorry.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
What are you sorry for?
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
I thought… You were there. He killed
my daughter. I thought you were letting
me…
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Answer the question. What are you sorry
for?
Beat. Choi Yan Lee is wrongfooted. Tentatively…
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
I killed the Westerner?
CHANG
(IN THAI)
And why did you do that?
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
He killed my daughter.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
And why did he do that?
Choi Yan Lee can’t answer.
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
How old was she?
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
Fifteen…
CHANG
(IN THAI)
You knew what she was doing and you did
nothing.
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
How else can we make money? Four
daughters. No sons. What else could I
do?
Daeng watches as Kim opens the boot and pulls something out. He
walks towards Chang and hands it to him. Daeng sees that it’s
an axe.
CHOI YAN LEE (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
What did you expect me to do? You have
to have pity on me. My daughter’s just
been murdered.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
This isn’t about her. This is about your
other three daughters and making sure
you don’t forget them.
Chang nods to Kim and Phaiban who grab hold of Choi Yan Lee. Kim
slips a plastic strap around Choi Yan Lee’s arm, using it as a
tourniquet. They wrestle him to the ground and pull his arm out.
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
I won’t forget. I promise. Forgive me.
Chang approaches with the axe. He stops for a moment. Looks down
at him…
CHOI YAN LEE (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
I’ll change. I’ll be a better man.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
I know.
Chang slams down the axe, severing Choi Yan Lee’s arm at the elbow.
Choi Yan Lee SCREAMS in agony.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
The anonymity of a hotel room. Julian opens the curtains and we
see the sky line of Bangkok – he looks out.
He lies back on the bed, surfing through two hundred TV channels.
Settles on a boxing match. Starts drifting off…
As he drifts we hear the SOUND OF SINGING. A karaoke rendition
of ‘I Hung My Head’ by Johnny Cash.
VOICE
I set off running
to wake from the dream
My brother’s rifle
went into the sheen
I kept on running
Into the south lands
That’s where they found me
My head in my hands
CUT TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR – NIGHT
REVEAL that the voice is that of Chang and he’s not half bad either:
deeper than you’d have though, and with it comes a stage presence,
a sort of John Wayne swagger…
CHANG
The sheriff he asked me
Why I had run
And then it came to me
Just what I had done
And all for no reason
Just one piece of lead
I hung my head
I hung my head.
The policemen, still dressed in their uniforms, watch in
respectful silence. Daeng sits with them. He too watches in awe.
CUT TO:
INT. SKYTRAIN – DAWN
Chang travels home across the city.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT / LANDING – MORNING
Chang opens the door as quietly as he can. He slips off his shoes
and walks gingerly into the apartment.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT / KITCHEN – MORNING
On the kitchen table Chang sees a picture. A badly-drawn house
with a man, a woman and a child. Across the bottom: “LOVE YOU
DADDY FROM DAUGHTER AND WIFE XXX’
Chang stares at it and smiles – picks it up and pins it to the
fridge with a magnet.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S HOUSE / KANITA’S BEDROOM – DAY
Chang and Kanita, his eight year old daughter, are playing with
her dolls who have captured a soft toy.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
So now that they’ve caught him… What
are they going to do?
Kanita thinks for a moment.
KANITA
(IN THAI)
Put him in jail.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Come on. They haven’t got a jail big
enough. Look at the size of him.
Again Kanita thinks.
KANITA
(IN THAI)
Keep him as a pet?
CHANG
(IN THAI)
But he blew down all their houses. Would
you want to keep a pet that could do
that?
Kanita shakes her head.
KANITA
(IN THAI)
What if they just let him go?
CHANG
(IN THAI)
How could they be sure he wouldn’t do
it again?
KANITA
(IN THAI)
They could ask him…? Very nicely?
Chang picks up the soft toy. Peels off a sticker from a sheet
and places it between its eyes. Satisfied with his work he puts
the soft toy back in the middle of the game.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
“And so the king and the fairies that
lived in the village said to the
creature: this is your mark which will
stay with you forever. If you ever try
and blow down our village again, it will
heat up until it boils your brains, for
it has magical properties. Go in peace.
Kanita nods, happy with the judgement. She picks the soft toy
up and ‘walks’ it away from the village of the dolls.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT / MAIN BEDROOM – DAY
Chang walks into his bedroom where his wife Nadee is just waking
up. He kisses her good morning.
As he starts to undress, she starts to get dressed. They share
a smile about this. Finally Chang lies down on the bed and closes
his eyes. Nadee kisses him good night.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT / KITCHEN – DAY
Nadee starts making breakfast as Kanita watches cartoons.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT / BEDROOM – DAY
As Chang sleeps the heavy curtains are drawn to keep out the light
of the day – but they cannot deaden the sound of the city outside
as it goes about its frenetic everyday business.
The CAMERA MOVES through the apartment, briefly settling on the
sleeping Chang, then roaming through the various rooms, PICKING
OUT different objects…
We see that Chang is obsessed with cowboy films and a keen collector
– the sitting room is stuffed with movie posters, photographs
and other bits of movie memorabilia…
Amongst the many family photos we also PICK OUT several pictures
of Chang when he was in the army and shots of what looks like
a very successful career as a Thai boxer.
At the end of the tour we’re back with Chang. We ZOOM IN to a
tight CLOSE SHOT.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM – DAY
We see a hotel room door and hear a knock – Julian ENTERS FRAME
and opens to reveal…
…Two Thai girls – one being Mai – standing in the hallway. Julian
lets them enter.
Mai embraces Julian, kissing him on the mouth as Julian closes
the door.
They turn to consider the other girl who is starting to undress.
She smiles compliantly, eager to please.
Julian turns back to Mai and kisses her again. As the kiss becomes
more passionate, the other girl joins them and the three of them
begin to have sex.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT – DAY
Chang is sitting eating alone at the dinning table, watching an
old western on TV.
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK STREETS – DAY
Chang walks down the streets towards a school. Standing at the
gate, Kanita is waiting for him. He hugs her and they hold hands
as they continue down the crowded street.
CUT TO:
INT. TOY STORE – DAY
Chang waits patiently at the counter as Kanita sorts through
various dolls, trying to choose which one to buy…
Chang looks round and gazes out the window into the street where
pedestrians stream past. Suddenly Chang has a strange VISION:
All the women disappear. In the street there are only men.
We cut to a CLOSE UP of Chang and then back to his VISION again:
Now all the men have gone and he can see only women.
Back to the CLOSE UP of Chang who continues staring out of the
WINDOW:
… where everything is back to normal. Men and women walking
up and down the sidewalk.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM – DUSK
The remnants of various room service orders litter the floor along
with the trappings of a heavy session: empty bottles of alcohol,
drug paraphernalia, etc.
Julian lies sleeping, entwined in the limbs of the girl…
There is a knock on the door. Julian and the girl ignore it.
A pause and then Julian’s mobile phone starts ringing. He doesn’t
answer.
The knocking starts up again, this time louder. Finally:
JULIAN
Julian’s not here mate. Fuck off…
Beat – then we hear a voice from behind the door.
GORDON (O.S.)
Julian?
Still they ignore him. Either too wasted or too tired to do anything
else.
GORDON (O.S.) (CONT’D)
Julian…? I need to talk with you…
Beat. Finally Julian answers with zero energy…
JULIAN
What is it?
GORDON (O.S.)
It’s about Billy…
JULIAN
I can’t deal with my brother right
now…
Beat.
GORDON (O.S.)
He’s dead…
Julian opens his eyes, confused – still out of his head on drugs.
JULIAN
What?
No answer. Finally Julian gets up and wraps a towel around his
body and slowly opens the door.
Gordon stands in the hallway – behind him two Thai men from Julian’s
crew.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
What happened?
GORDON
They found his body in a hotel room…
Julian doesn’t know what to say… Neither does Gordon.
GORDON (CONT’D)
Look, get dressed and I’ll see you
downstairs.
Julian nods and closes the door. He stands still – glances out
the window – seeing the sun setting and the night coming in. He
glances at the pretty girl still sleeping on the bed.
He goes into the bathroom where Mai is dressed and putting on
make up.
MAI
What happened?
Julian looks at her.
JULIAN
Someone killed Billy…
The camera ZOOMS IN on Mai.
CUT TO:
INT. MORGUE – NIGHT
A Mortuary Attendant pulls a sheet back to reveal –
Billy. His body completely mutilated.
Julian stares at his brother’s corpse intensely, not betraying
any emotion.
He turns to Gordon who’s standing behind him.
GORDON
What do we do?
JULIAN
For now… We wait.
Julian glances back at the body…
CUT TO:
EXT. ALLEYWAY – NIGHT
Julian stares up at the night sky, his mobile phone gripped tightly
in his hand. He puts the phone down.
He looks out across the city again then back to the phone.
It’s like he’s scared.
He picks it up quickly and dials. A moment as it rings then it’s
answered.
JULIAN
Hello Mum.
Beat.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
It’s me… Julian… Something’s
happened.
CUT TO:
INT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL – DAY
The CAMERA tracks as we follow a pair of high heeled shoes belonging
to an elegant woman in her fifties, who looks like she’s in her
forties and could actually pass for late thirties. She strides
towards reception, a Porter struggling to keep up with her. This
is Jenna Hopkins. Head of a notorious London Crime Family. Mother
of both Julian and Billy. Newly appointed Lady Macbeth of Bangkok.
She hands her passport over to the Concierge.
JENNA
I’d like to check in now please.
The Concierge checks the computer.
CONCIERGE
I’m afraid the room won’t be ready until
four o’clock.
Beat… Jenna just stares at him…
CONCIERGE (CONT’D)
… It’s policy
JENNA
I’d like to speak to your manager.
Beat.
CONCIERGE
Yes of course…
The Concierge retreats. Jenna lights a cigarette.
MANAGER
Good afternoon madam, what seems to be
the problem?
JENNA
Listen to me… I’ve just travelled six
thousand miles to see the corpse of my
first born son and I haven’t slept for
thirty hours and he says I can’t go to
my room.
The Manager just stares at her but is clearly taken back by her
force…
MANAGER
I’m sorry madam…
JENNA
How much?
MANAGER
… it simply isn’t possible.
Jenna pulls out a massive bundle of notes. Peels off a couple
of hundred dollar bills.
JENNA
…Fuck off you cunt, just hand me the
fucking key…
She lays the money on the desk. The manager looks around…
MANAGER
Well I might be able to arrange
something…
The Manager turns to the Concierge.
JENNA
Don’t leave the money there. Some
cunt’ll nick it. Put it in your pocket.
The Manager hesitates.
JENNA (CONT’D)
Put it in your pocket.
MANAGER
There’s really no need–
JENNA
Put it in your fucking pocket.
The Manager takes the money. Pockets it. Places the key on the
desk.
MANAGER
Room 300.
CUT TO:
INT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL / CORRIDOR – DAY
The lift doors open and Jenna walks out, the Porter struggling
to keep up with her as she swishes down the corridor.
CUT TO:
INT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL / ROOM 300 – DAY
The struggling Porter opens the door and lets Jenna in. She walks
into the suite and gives it the once over.
Satisfactory.
The Porter places her bags on the side and hangs up some of her
clothes, desperate to try and get out in one piece… As soon
as he’s finished he bows and starts to shuffle out of the room.
JENNA
Hey… Open this.
Jenna points to the Duty Free bag then starts running a bath,
beginning to undress.
JENNA (CONT’D)
I need a drink.
The Porter is stunned.
JENNA (CONT’D)
Well don’t just stand there…
The Porter fumbles, taking the gin out of the Duty Free bag, spilling
the tonic in his nervousness as he makes her cocktail.
Jenna returns in a dressing gown, takes the drink off him and
takes a huge slug.
The Porter is terrified, stunned. Rooted to the spot.
Jenna sits on the bed and stares out of the window. Just as the
Porter thinks it’s safe to try edging out of the room again, she
starts talking to him…
JENNA (CONT’D)
I loved him so much you know… Billy…
Beat. The Porter doesn’t know what the fuck she’s talking about.
JENNA (CONT’D)
Everyone loves their children don’t
they? Well, not everyone, but…
She looks over at him. The Porter smiles at her.
JENNA (CONT’D)
Do you want to see a picture?
The Porter nods, uncertain. Jenna gets up, goes over to her purse.
Opens it up. A picture of Billy.
She hands it to the Porter – who takes it and just looks at it,
not knowing what to do…
Jenna starts to cry. For a long time. Finally…
PORTER
Madam. I have to return to my station.
Jenna snaps out of it in an instant.
JENNA
What, yeah, thanks.
She pulls a fifty dollar bill out of her purse. She hands the
money to the Porter who leaves as quickly as he dares.
CUT TO:
BLACK. We hear Dave Berry singing ‘Mama’.
FADE IN:
INT. HOTEL HALLWAY – NIGHTMARE
The elevator doors open. Julian steps out into the empty hallway.
Everything is normal… But everything is also not normal.
The CAMERA tracks from behind as Julian walks – looking at the
doors as he passes them and finally stopping in front of one:
He knocks but there is no answer. Realizing the door isn’t locked,
he pushes it open and steps in.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHTMARE
The room is exactly the same as the one Jenna’s staying in. However,
instead of her, Julian sees a man sitting on the bed, his back
to him. His features are obscured…
Julian slowly begins to walk towards him, but before he can reach
out, the figure turns to face him…
It’s Chang. But there is blood smeared all over his face…
Julian stares at him in horror. Slowly he looks down at his hands
only to discover that they’re dripping in blood…
We ZOOM IN on his hands.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
Julian wakes from his nightmare – covered in sweat. He is alone.
He sits up. Looks at his hands, still very shaken by his nightmare…
We hear the traffic of Bangkok. Julian gets up and walks to the
table… Light up and begins to smoke morphine… He walks to
the window and looks out over Bangkok…
His phone rings – Julian answers…
JULIAN
(ON THE PHONE)
Hello?
JENNA (V.O.)
It’s me…
JULIAN
(ON THE PHONE)
Hi Mum. Where are you?
JENNA (V.O.)
I’m in Bangkok…
JULIAN
(ON THE PHONE)
What?
Julian looks at his watch.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
(ON THE PHONE)
… I thought you didn’t get in til
midnight…?
Beat.
JENNA (V.O.)
I needed to be by myself…
JULIAN
(ON THE PHONE)
Okay… so, what d’you want to do?
JENNA (V.O.)
Raise Hell…
Julian turns his back to the window.
CUT TO:
INT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL / BAR
Jenna looks immaculate. She stubs out her cigarette when she spots
Julian making his way towards her. She gets up and they embrace.
She holds on to him. A little too long.
Finally she pulls away. She looks at him for a long time.
JENNA
Could it be have been one of the gangs?
JULIAN
Maybe. Take your pick. Billy wasn’t
popular.
JENNA
What do you mean?
JULIAN
You know Billy… He was eccentric.
Jenna smiles to herself as if this brings back memories and Julian
even smiles. Both sit in silence for a moment.
JENNA
But you’re going to find out who did
it, right?
JULIAN
I’ll make sure it gets done.
JENNA
No, it needs to be you that does it.
We need to show them. Do you understand
what I’m saying?
JULIAN
Yeah, okay, I’ll do it.
JENNA
Good.
HOLD ON Julian as we bring up the SOUND of Johnny Cash’s Ring
of Fire.
VOICE
Love is a burning thing
And it makes a firey ring
Bound by wild desire
I fell into a ring of fire
CUT TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR – NIGHT
Chang is singing again…
CHANG
I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns
The Ring of Fire / The Ring of Fire
And the cops are all there, Daeng included, watching him…
CUT TO:
INT. THAI BOXING CLUB – NIGHT
Chang’s singing continues as we see an assortment of tough looking
Thai Men listening to Gordon (MUTE).
CHANG` (V.O.)
I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns
The Ring of Fire / The Ring of Fire
Gordon explains the situation: what information they’re after,
how much they’ll get paid for good leads.
All the while Julian watches from the background.
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK STREETS – NIGHT
A montage of Julian’s crew spreading out, shaking down their
various contacts: doormen, pimps, dirty cops, stall holders,
barmen…
CHANG (V.O.)
The taste of love is sweet
When hearts like ours meet
I fell for you like a child
Oh, but the fire went wild.
One of the crew, the rat faced Charlie Ling, starts talking to
the Hotel Owner who was there the night of the murder. A couple
of hundred Bhat notes and he starts talking…
CUT TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR – NIGHT
Chang reaches the climax of the song.
CHANG
I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns
The Ring of Fire / The Ring of Fire
The Cops watch with total devotion.
CUT TO:
EXT. SLUMS – DAY
A Tuck-tuck makes its way through the crowded streets driven by
one of Choi Yan Lee’s Three Daughter’s.
In the back sits Choi Yan Lee, his stump of an arm in a sling,
a daughter either side of him.
His arm’s only just been bandaged up and he’s clearly still in
a lot of pain, his face going into spasm with every bump in the
road.
CUT TO:
EXT. CHOI YAN LEE’S KIOSK – DAY
Julian stands on the street corner sipping a soft drink. Waiting.
Behind him Gordon, his phone glued to his face.
On the other side of the road is Choi Yan Lee’s Kiosk, big enough
to double as his home, currently manned by his long suffering
wife Kim Yan Lee. She serves a chilled coconut to a man. As he
turns round we reveal… he’s a particularly murderous looking
member of Julian’s crew – Ko Sam.
We pick out Charlie Ling a little further down the road, who’s
looking at a tray of battery powered robots that some Street Kid’s
selling.
They’re all counting down the minutes. Biding their time. Waiting
for Choi Yan Lee to turn up.
Finally the sound of the Tuck-tuck approaching…
Ko Sam drinks his coconut down in one – slurping as he hits the
bottom. Letting the empty shell fall to the floor.
Charlie Ling stands up. Feels the gun under his jacket.
The Tuck-tuck pulls up and Choi Yan Lee’s Daughters help him into
the kiosk that doubles as their home.
Julian and his men close in.
CUT TO:
INT. CHOI YAN LEE’S SHACK
As Choi Yan Lee enters his home and his daughters make a fuss
of him, the shutters of the kiosk counter are suddenly SLAMMED
SHUT.
They all turn round in panic, but before they can do anything
about it, the last of the three daughters is pushed into the kiosk,
followed by Ko Sam, Charlie Ling, Gordon and Julian.
Choi Yan Lee snivels in the corner, waving his bandaged arm in
the air.
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
You can’t kill me. I’m a cripple.
KIM YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
Who are you? What do you think you’re
doing? Get out or we’ll call the police.
Ko Sam shakes his head at her. Not a good idea. Julian turns to
Charlie Ling.
JULIAN
Ask him if he’s Choi Yan Lee.
At the mention of his name the colour drains from Choi Yan Lee’s
face. His eyes lock with Julian’s.
CHARLIE LING
(IN THAI)
Is your name Choi Yan Lee?
Choi Yan Lee nods his head.
JULIAN
Ask him why he killed my brother.
CHARLIE LING
(IN THAI)
You killed his brother. Big mistake fat
man. Why’d you do it?
Beat. Choi Yan Lee knows he’s been caught…
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
He murdered my daughter.
CHARLIE LING
He says he killed his daughter.
Julian considers him for a moment. Slowly he pulls out a gun…
Aims it at Choi Yan Lee’s face…
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
Oh God. Please don’t kill me. Please.
I’ll give you anything. Anything you
want. My daughters. My shop. Please.
I’ve paid for what I did. Look at me.
In his desperation Choi Yan Lee suddenly lurches forward,
brandishing his wounded arm at Julian. He pulls the bandages off,
exposing the bloody stump.
CHOI YAN LEE (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
I’ve paid for what I did. Don’t you see?
Julian turns to Charlie Ling.
JULIAN
What’s he saying?
Beat.
CHARLIE LING
He says… He says he’s paid for what
he’s done. That he’s been punished
already.
Choi Yan Lee nods his head enthusiastically.
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
He told me to do it. Then he took my
hand. Look.
Again he thrusts his stump at Julian who glances at him.
JULIAN
Who did that to him?
Choi Yan Lee looks at the various faces that surround him – then
stares directly at Julian.
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
The Angel of Vengeance…
Charlie Ling looks at him surprised… yet there’s a sense that
deep down he knows what he’s talking about…
CHARLIE LING
(IN THAI)
It’s a lie – he doesn’t exist…
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
I’m telling the truth. It was the Angel
of Vengeance.
JULIAN
What’s he saying?
CHARLIE LING
He’s lying…
JULIAN
Tell me.
CHARLIE LING
It’s a story old women tell their grand
children… ‘The Angel of Vengeance’
is supposed to come down from the
heavens and judge the living…
restore karma to the world..
Gordon laughs… but Julian listens with great interest…
JULIAN
How does he do that?
CHARLIE LING
Leads people to their destiny…
That’s the myth anyway.
Ko Sam smiles. Julian doesn’t. Finally:
JULIAN
Ask him who cut his hand off.
Charlie Ling’s reluctant to question him further. Julian insists.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
Do it.
CHARLIE LING
(IN THAI)
Who turned you into a cripple – and no
bullshit this time.
Choi Yan Lee continues babbling hysterically…
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI, QUIETLY)
I’m telling you the truth… The Angel
of Vengeance is real… He made me do
it… You’ve got to believe me… I’ve
already been judged.
CHARLIE LING
He says it was The Angel of Vengeance…
Choi Yan Lee starts to giggle uncontrollably.
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
The Angel of Vengeance. Yes. You don’t
find the Angel of Vengeance. No. He
finds you.
JULIAN
What’s he saying?
CHARLIE LING
(IN THAI)
Pull yourself together fat man. If you
don’t talk sense I’ll cut off your cock
and shove it down your throat.
CHOI YAN LEE
(IN THAI)
I’m telling you the truth. He’ll find
you.
Choi Yan Lee retreats to the corner of the room.
JULIAN
What did he say?
Charlie Ling considers Choi Yan Lee. Realizes he’s not going to
get a better answer out of him…
CHARLIE LING
He said you don’t find The Angel of
Vengeance. He finds you…
Julian considers this for a long time. He realises he’s not pointing
his gun anymore. Puts it away.
GORDON
Are we going to kill him or what?
The room suddenly feels stuffy. The atmosphere oppressive.
Julian’s got to get out…
GORDON (CONT’D)
What are you doing?
But Julian’s already stumbling out of the kiosk…
JULIAN
Nothing… We’re not going to do
anything… Just leave him. Leave them
all.
CUT TO:
EXT. KIOSK – DAY
Julian stumbles out of the kiosk and breaths in lungfulls of air.
Disoriented, he careers into a stall selling various religious
artefacts, sending candles, incense and statues of Buddha
flying…
He falls to the ground. When he gets to his feet everything around
him seems intense and incredibly vibrant… The dogs fighting
on the street, the Buddha that lies in pieces on the ground, the
children that stand watching him, his crew as they come out of
the kiosk, hiding their guns…
Julian takes a long moment to get his bearings… Finally he stands
up, but as he does he feels different… As if the axis of his
world has shifted…
CUT TO:
INT. THAI BOXING CLUB – NIGHT
The CAMERA TRACKS from the side as we see Jenna walk through the
boxing gym. All around her people are fighting and sparring.
She spots Julian and Gordon through the large windows of the office.
They see her and stand up.
We LINGER OUTSIDE in the training area as Jenna goes through THE
DOOR…
CUT TO:
INT. BACK ROOM – NIGHT
Boxers train in the background. Jenna, Julian and Gordon sit in
silence. Finally:
JENNA
Did you kill him?
Beat. A shared look between Gordon and Julian.
JULIAN
It’s a little bit more complicated than
that Mum.
JENNA
Complicated? He killed my son…
What’s so fucking complicated about
that?
JULIAN
Mum, calm down…
JENNA
Don’t tell me to calm down. I want him
dead.
Beat… Julian does not know how to explain the situation. Jenna
stares at him.
JENNA (CONT’D)
We don’t forgive. Only God does.
JULIAN
I know, you always say that – but this
is different…
JENNA
How?
Silence. Julian doesn’t know how to answer. Jenna watches him
carefully…
JULIAN
Maybe… Maybe Billy had it coming…
JENNA
What are you talking about?
JULIAN
…because of what he did.
Jenna thinks it over for a moment.
JENNA
I don’t care.
JULIAN
Why?
JENNA
Just don’t – some Thai cunt murdered
your brother and we’re not going to let
him get away with it.
JULIAN
What if… What if it was The Angel of
Vengeance?
Jenna stares at her son like he’s finally lost the plot.
JENNA
The Angel of fucking what…?
JULIAN
…it – or he – restores karma and order
in the world.
JENNA
‘Restores’ things? Who said anything
about ‘restoring’ things?
Beat.
JULIAN
He loves all humans…
JENNA
I don’t know what kind of spiritual
journey you’re on, but you will kill
HIM–
JULIAN
I’m not, I’m just…
Julian can’t get the words out. He gets up.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
… I’ve got to go.
…and Julian leaves – letting the door to the office stay open.
We pick up the sounds of the fighters training outside as we slowly
ZOOM IN on Jenna. She turns to Gordon.
JENNA
How’s business?
GORDON
It’s alright, yeah. Well, what with
Billy not being around, it’s tricky to
be honest…
JENNA
What d’you mean?
GORDON
Well, we’re supposed to be moving five
keys out the end of this week. But
Billy’s not here, is he?
JENNA
I’m here. Julian’s here.
Gordon shrugs. Jenna clocks it.
JENNA (CONT’D)
What’s gotten into him…? Is he high
or something?
GORDON
I don’t know. Earlier today – we had
the guy… The guy that killed Billy.
Had a gun against his face. But then
– nothing…
JENNA
Nothing?
GORDON
Julian let him go. Now there’s all this
stuff about angels… I don’t know what
the fuck’s wrong with him.
JENNA
Not like you…
Gordon smiles at her uncertainly.
GORDON
I know how to do what needs to be done.
That’s all.
She stares at him, long enough to make him uncomfortable.
JENNA
So tell me… What did he mean when he
said it was complicated?
GORDON
There’s this other guy… Might have
been involved…
JENNA
So we kill them both.
GORDON
We don’t know who the other guy is yet…
JENNA
Okay. Well how about we start with the
guy we do know?
CUT TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR – NIGHT
A girl sings ‘Another Woman’s Man’ by Dolly Parton.
Julian’s sitting alone at a table, nursing a drink.
Mai enters, looking much more sophisticated than when we saw her
in the hotel. She sits next to Julian and gives him a kiss on
the cheek.
MAI
Sorry I’m late.
JULIAN
It’s alright…
He drinks his drink. Silence…
MAI
What’s wrong?
JULIAN
Nothing.
Mai looks around the bar… It’s half empty – some girls and men
spread out.
The waitress comes over and Mai orders a drink. They sit in silence,
listening to the song…
MAI
See anyone you want us to take home
tonight?
Julian glances round but shakes his head. Looks at Mai.
MAI (CONT’D)
What?
JULIAN
Nothing…
MAI
What’s with you? You want to get high?
Beat. Silence. Finally…
JULIAN
I want you to meet my Mum.
A pause, Mai slightly taken about.
MAI
Is she here?
Julian nods.
MAI (CONT’D)
D’you want me to?
Julian nods. Mai studies him.
MAI (CONT’D)
Why d’you want me to meet her?
JULIAN
To show her… To show that I’ve got
something here…
MAI
What, like we’re a couple?
Julian stares at her for a long time. Can’t quite say it out loud,
but the answer’s yes.
CUT TO:
EXT. CHOI YAN LEE’S SHACK – NIGHT
Choi Yan Lee oversees his daughter’s serving hot food to customers.
FOCUS ON Liang, the young kick boxer, watching him from across
the street. Liang pulls out a knife which glints in the light
of the street lamps. He heads over to the shack.
Liang asks Choi Yan Lee a question. Choi Yan Lee leans over to
hear him better. Liang GRABS hold of his hair and PULLS him over
the counter, SLITTING his throat with the knife.
Choi Yan Lee’s wife and daughters look on as blood floods from
his neck, over the sweets and snacks on sale and down to the ground
below.
Life slips away from Choi Yan Lee in a matter of seconds. Liang
holds onto him until he’s dead and then lets go of his head and
runs off into the night.
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK STREET – NIGHT
Gordon is waiting on a street corner smoking cigarettes. Liang
comes up to him, breathless.
Gordon pulls out several hundred dollars.
GORDON
Never come back – you understand me?
Liang nods.
GORDON (CONT’D)
Good…
Liang takes the money. A proper pay out.
GORDON (CONT’D)
You’re a fighter, kid. No doubt about
it. Good luck with that.
CUT TO:
INT. BACK ROOM – DAY
Julian’s talking to Liang’s Mother and Sister who are sitting
in front of him, both upset. Gordon hovers in the background…
JULIAN
When did you last see him?
LIANG’S SISTER
Last night. He went out.
JULIAN
Did he have any enemies?
LIANG’S SISTER
None.
LIANG’S MOTHER
(IN THAI)
Someone called him.
LIANG’S SISTER
Someone called his mobile.
JULIAN
Who?
LIANG’S SISTER
She doesn’t know. They spoke in
English.
Liang’s Mother pulls out a mobile phone. Passes it to Julian.
JULIAN
This his phone?
Liang’s Sister nods. Julian scrolls through the numbers. All have
Thai names against them – except one. Julian considers the number,
then redials.
A beat. Then the SOUND of a phone ringing in the same room.
Gordon looks round. Realises he’s busted. Takes his phone out.
Kills it.
Julian stares at him. Before he gets a chance to say anything,
there is a knock on the door.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
What is it?
THAI MAN (V.O.)
There’s some cops here to see you.
JUILAN
What do they want?
THAI MAN (V.O.)
Probably just money. You want me to find
out how much?
Julian thinks it over…
JULIAN
No, I’ll talk to them.
CUT TO:
INT. BOXING CLUB – DAY
Julian clocks the cops who are waiting for him. He walks over,
strangely on edge. As he gets closer he sees Chang – standing
on the other side of the room by the boxing ring, his back to
him, watching the sparring fighters… Julian stares at him…
Turns back to the cops…
JULIAN
Good morning officers. How can I help
you?
Slowly Chang turns to face him. Julian stares at him as if he’s
in a trance…
KIM
We’re investigating the murder of Choi
Yan Lee.
Julian recovers. Turns to Kim and shrugs.
JULIAN
Never heard of him.
KIM
His arm was cut off. Here.
Julian manages to cover his reaction.
JULIAN
I run a boxing club. Not much call for
one armed men.
A beat. Mexican stand off.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
What’s this got to do with me?
KIM
He was the father of the girl that was
found dead with your brother.
JULIAN
Then I guess you boys have got a lot
of work to do – so have I, so if you’ll
excuse me…
KIM
That’s why we’re here Mr Hopkins. If
you could just answer our questions.
JULIAN
Sure, sorry. What do you want to know?
Julian looks over to Chang who continues staring at the boxers.
The way the ring is lit he’s almost silhouetted.
KIM
Where were you last night?
JULIAN
With my mum…
Some of the boxers come over to Chang. They know him. They’re
reverential. With the effect of the lighting, it seems to Julian
like they’re bowing down before a God.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
You want to speak to her?
KIM
That wont be necessary at the moment.
JULIAN
Am I suspect?
Chang turns round to face Julian. His presence is magnetic. Julian
stares back at him, realizing that this must be the Angel of
Vengeance… Chang walks over to them. Studies Julian for a long
moment and then turns to Kim.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
This is not the man.
And as soon as he’s said it, he turns on his heel and leaves.
The cops back off and away.
ZOOM IN on Julian. Deflated and strangely disappointed… He turns
to Gordon who’s standing behind him.
JULIAN
I want you to find out who that guy is.
Okay?
GORDON
Sure. No problem.
JULIAN
Now.
The SOUND of Nadee singing ‘LONELY COMING DOWN’ by Dolly Parton.
CUT TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR
Chang sits on his own drinking apple juice as he watches his wife
sing on stage. Julian enters, sees Chang but can only see the
back of his face. He walks over to the bar, orders a drink.
Julian starts to watch Nadee. When he turns back to the bar he
sees Chang reflected in the optics – somehow standing right next
to him, staring at him. Julian turns to face him.
CHANG
Why are you here?
JULIAN
You’re him… Aren’t you?
CHANG
Who?
JULIAN
The one who killed my brother.
Chang says nothing for a long time.
CHANG
I love all living things.
Beat.
CHANG (CONT’D)
I restore karma. Is that why you came?
JULIAN
I came here to kill you.
CHANG
What’s stopping you?
JULIAN
I don’t know…
CHANG
Would you like me to tell you?
Julian nods.
CHANG (CONT’D)
You want the Angel of Vengeance.
JULIAN
Yes.
CHANG
Why?
JULIAN
Cause, all my life… I don’t know.
CHANG
Yes you do.
JULIAN
My mother wants me to kill you.
Chang stares back at him.
CHANG
And what do you want?
JULIAN
… I love violence.
CHANG
You want to fight me?
Julian nods.
JULIAN
Thai style.
CUT TO:
INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
Three cops sit eating noodles.
KIM
(IN THAI)
What about his brain?
PHAIBUN
(IN THAI)
It’s a risk… One hit in the wrong place
and he’ll be straight back in hospital.
And maybe he wont be so lucky as last
time.
DAENG
(IN THAI)
Then why’s he going to fight the
Westerner?
The question hangs in the air. It’s what they’re all wondering.
PHAIBUN
He used to be a great boxer.
KIM
He has to do it. Since he came out of
the coma, that’s what he’s done.
Whatever’s been asked of him, he’s done
it. He can’t help it. It’s all a
mystery…
A mutual pause.
DAENG
And if he loses?
PHAIBUN
He can’t lose. He’s the Angel of
Vengeance.
CUT TO:
EXT. CHANG’S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Nadee is standing behind Chang. They’re playing a game in which
they speak in English.
She points out the window.
CHANG
View.
NADEE
Window.
`She points at the table.
CHANG
Table.
NADEE
Do you like the table?
CHANG
Yes. I like the table.
Chang stiffens. Nadee detects the change in him.
NADEE
What is it?
Chang takes her in his arms. He starts kissing her neck.
CHANG
I need to speak to you in Thai.
A pause.
NADEE
(IN THAI)
What is it?
CHANG
(IN THAI)
I love you.
She stares at him for a long moment. It’s odd for him to have
confessed his feelings in such a way. Not bad, just odd. And then
she starts to kiss him back…
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET – EVENING
Julian is anxiously waiting outside. He looks up as Mai comes
out of her appartment in a red dress.
Julian’s face drops.
MAI
What is it?
JULIAN
You can’t wear that.
MAI
Why not?
JULIAN
My mother’s… Very particular about
colours.
MAI
You’re kidding?
JULIAN
She hates red. Come on, we’ll get you
something else.
Mai stares at him, reluctant to give in.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
Come on.
MAI
This is insane.
JULIAN
Look, I’m telling you. It’s easier this
way. Trust me.
Mai gives in. Takes his hand.
CUT TO:
INT. CLOTHES SHOP – NIGHT
Chang picks out a dress for Mai. She takes it, finding it hard
to believe that he’s making her do this…
CUT TO:
INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
Three people sit around a table awkwardly. Julian, Jenna and Mai
(dressed very conservatively) all eating soup. A long silence.
JENNA
So… May, isn’t it?
JULIAN
It’s Mai, Mum.
JENNA
How long have you two known each other
then?
Mai’s about to answer but Juilan gets there first.
JULIAN
A year and a half isn’t it?
Beat as Mai quickly counts in her head…
MAI
…that sounds about right.
JENNA
Well it’s always a rare treat to meet
one of Julian’s lady friends.
JULIAN
Mum, please…
JENNA
So, where did you two meet?
JULIAN
I saw her walking down the street.
Jenna raises an eyebrow…
JULIAN (CONT’D)
And I thought – this is the most
beautiful girl I’ve ever seen – so I
just walked up to her and started
talking.
JENNA
I hear that happens a lot in this part
of the world… Tell me, what’s your
line of work, Mai?
MAI
I work in the service industry.
JENNA
I bet you do. But tell me Mai, before
you started serving my son, how many
cocks were you serving? Was it over a
thousand?
Mai stares at Jenna in disbelief.
JENNA (CONT’D)
I know girls like you. Just because you
might be pulling the wool over my son’s
eyes don’t think it’s going to work with
me.
JULIAN
Mum, stop it, for fuck’s sake.
JENNA
I’m sorry Julian, but I won’t stand by
and let a dirty little hooker take
advantage of my son in the vain hope
that her womb isn’t so diseased that
she can trick him into impregnating her
and putting another cocksucking child
on to this earth.
JULIAN
Leave her alone Mum. You’ve got her
wrong. She’s a good girl.
JENNA
What do you know about what’s good?
Beat. Julian says nothing.
MAI
He’s good to me…
JENNA
Well that’s nice isn’t it, I’m really
happy for you–
JULIAN
Mum!
A pause.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
The cops came by my club today.
Beat. She stares at him.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
They’re investigating a murder. The
guy that killed Billy turned up dead
this morning.
Jenna looks bored. Lights a cigarette.
JENNA
Oh really, shame that, still, live by
the sword, die by the sword…
JULIAN
I know it was you, Mum.
JENNA
I did what had to be done.
JULIAN
He was there. He was with them.
JENNA
Who?
JULIAN
The Angel of Vengeance.
JENNA
D’you kill him?
JULIAN
No.
JENNA
Cause he as good as killed Billy. What
I want to know is, what are you going
to do about it?
JULIAN
I’m not going to kill him…
JENNA
Yes you are. You’re going to do it for
me and you’re going to do it for your
brother.
JULIAN
This isn’t about Billy. This is about
me. All my life I’ve been running…
JENNA
That’s right you cunt, cause you always
run away whenever there’s a problem…
just like you’re running away from
killing this fucking Angel of whatever
–
JULIAN
– his name is Chang-
JENNA
Chang?!
Mai stands up.
MAI
I should be going now.
JENNA
Sit down you cunt.
JULIAN
Mum, don’t talk to her like that.
Mai sits down.
JENNA
So what am I left with?
Julian stares at her.
JULIAN
Me.
Jenna calms down. She looks at their reflections in the mirror
behind the bar. We ZOOM in on the mirror, their faces refracted
by the glass.
JENNA
You’re right. We’re family. We stick
together. But Billy was family too.
JULIAN
Billy was a fuck up… He deserved
everything he got. You know it and I
know it.
JENNA
That’s it. I’m not listening to this.
I don’t ever want to hear you mention
his name again… Do you hear me?
JULIAN
Yeah we were brothers, but we were never
close… And he was only in Bangkok
cause you couldn’t control him. So you
sent him to me–
JULIAN (CONT’D)
— So you sent him to me and what could
I do?
JENNA
You could have protected him.
JULIAN
I did what I could. And that’s more than
you ever did.
JENNA
I would’ve done anything for him. Okay,
he wasn’t born with as many advantages
as you were. He struggled with things.
But I always stood by him.
JULIAN
And what did that get him? I’ll tell
you what, a one way ticket to this
fucking place, just like me.
JENNA
Don’t you dare blame me for what
happened back then.
JULIAN
I’m only here ’cause of you. If you
didn’t exist, I wouldn’t be here.
Beat.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
I could’ve been someone, Mum. I was on
my way…
Jenna stares at him – this is a conversation she does not like
having…
JENNA
You would’ve been a great fighter…
You could’ve gone pro.
JULIAN
Don’t you think I know that? And look
at me now. I’m a front for a drugs
smuggling.
He turns to Mai.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
It’s true… The whole thing’s a front.
Every day I see kids coming in with great
potential. And every day I see kilos
of heroin going out. And it’s all
because of you, Ma. You and the money
and the drugs.
Jenna silently seethes, waiting for Julian to shut the fuck up.
He quietens down…
JENNA
At least you’re not behind bars and
that’s more important to me.
Julian turns to her – he has been waiting all his life to say
this.
JULIAN
That’s right Mum. That’s what’s more
important to you. But what about me?
Sometimes I think you only got me out
of there so the cops couldn’t trace it
back to you…
Jenna stares at him. Her face a mask.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
…that’s right Mum. Think about it.
With me gone you were safe. And it turned
out to be good for business as well.
All very convenient.
Silence between them. Jenna lights another cigarette – her hands
now shaking.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
Is that what happened with Billy? Did
Billy become a problem like I did?
Wouldn’t surprise me, he was a big
fucking problem when he was here…
Still, at least you didn’t have him
killed.
Jenna slaps him hard on the face. Julian recovers. Looks up at
her. Very intense.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
I’m not going to kill him for you, Mum.
Doesn’t matter what you say. And do you
want to know why?
JENNA
Surprise me.
JULIAN
‘Cause I’m going to fight him. In the
ring. Me versus him.
JENNA
Well that seems sensible… And what
do you hope that’s going to achieve?
JULIAN
I don’t expect you to understand. Cause
you don’t understand anything that
isn’t about you.
JENNA
And when you lose, what’s going to
happen then?
JULIAN
I don’t know… But maybe this time I’ll
win. Like you say, only God forgives.
Maybe this time he’ll forgive me…
Jenna turns to Mai.
JENNA
Do you understand what he’s talking
about? ‘Cause I haven’t got a fucking
a clue.
JULIAN
You never did, Mum.
A pause. Julian’s touched a nerve. Jenna recovers.
JENNA
I hope you find what you’re looking for.
‘Cause if you don’t, it’s going to find
you and I’m not always going to be there
to look after you.
Jenna composes herself. Suddenly brightens. A different person.
JENNA (CONT’D)
Nice to meet you Mai. Hope to see you
again soon.
Jenna shakes her hand. Mai’s too shocked to resist. And then,
as if nothing had happened, Jenna leaves.
Julian covers his face with his napkin.
MAI
Are you alright?
He’s not. He’s crying. But he doesn’t want anyone to see.
JULIAN
I’m fine.
Beat.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
I’ll be fine. In a minute.
Julian wipes his face clean. Pulls himself together.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
Sorry about that.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL – NIGHT
Jenna gets out of her cab and walks toward reception, a look of
steely determination in her eyes.
CUT TO:
INT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL – NIGHT
The Concierge and the Manager see Jenna coming towards them and
brace themselves…
However, to their relief, she diverts to the palm court area where
Gordon is waiting for her.
GORDON
Nice evening?
JENNA
Lovely, yeah. Just catching up, you
know.
Jenna sits down. Lights a cigarette.
JENNA (CONT’D)
You’re a piece of work, aren’t you?
Gordon blushes. Jenna blows out her match.
JENNA (CONT’D)
No fucking hanging about with you, is
there?
GORDON
Well, I don’t know about that. Just been
out here a while… Know how to get
things done.
JENNA
I bet you do.
GORDON
But things are going to shit. Since
Billy died, Julian’s all over the
place…
JENNA
We’ll have to something about that the,
wont we? But, first things first, what
about Chang?
GORDON
Who?
JENNA
My son’s guardian angel.
GORDON
He’s just a retired cop…
JENNA
Good, then he won’t be to hard to kill,
will he?
GORDON
It’s not that simple… Is there
somewhere we can go that’s a little more
private?
Beat. She raises her eyebrows.
JENNA
What did you have in mind?
Gordon blushes. Moves closer, conspiratorial…
GORDON
You can’t just going round killing cops
here anymore. It’s not that easy.
JENNA
I didn’t say it was easy. But then,
you’re a resourceful man, aren’t you?
GORDON
I looked into it. Chang’s a hard man
to get to. None of the Thais’ll go near
him…
JENNA
Well then you’re going to have to find
someone who’s not a fucking Thai then,
aren’t you?
GORDON
There might be a way… But Julian can’t
find out…
Jenna looks at Gordon – smiles and crosses her legs.
JENNA
Don’t you worry about that. There are
certain things that a mother and son
shouldn’t – and don’t – discuss…
Gordon thinks he does but isn’t a hundred per cent sure.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
Julian sits on a chair, holding his hand over a flame. Mai finishes
applying make up, comes out of the bathroom wearing her red dress.
She watches him for a moment.
MAI
What are you doing?
JULIAN
Seeing when it hurts.
Mai watches him. He doesn’t flinch.
MAI
I’m going to go.
Julian takes his hand off the flame. Sees she’s left the clothes
he bought her behind.
JULIAN
Didn’t you like what I got you?
MAI
It’s fine, but you know… It’s not my
style.
JULIAN
What do you mean?
MAI
Maybe you should give it to your mother.
JULIAN
Don’t to be so hard on her. Her life
hasn’t been easy.
MAI
Come on Julian. She’s a fucking bitch.
JULIAN
Don’t say that, okay? You don’t know
what you’re talking about. She’d do
anything for me.
MAI
The way she talks to you —
JULIAN
Don’t go there.
MAI
What? ‘Don’t talk about my mother’?
Come on Julian.
Julian stands up, angry.
MAI (CONT’D)
Why don’t you fuck her instead of me?
Julian grabs hold her neck. Throws her hard against the wall.
JULIAN
You don’t get to judge her. You think
she’s bad? You should’ve met my dad.
But he’s not around anymore, and do you
know why? Cause she loved me too much.
He lets go of her neck. Mai rubs her neck.
MAI
You’re fucked.
He pulls money out of his pocket.
JULIAN
How much do I owe you?
He forces a roll of notes into her hand, forcing her to take it.
MAI
Fuck you.
She opens the door, sets fire to the money, and walks out of the
room.
As she walks down the hotel corridor, Julian slams his fists into
the wall.
CUT TO:
INT. SKYLIGHT BAR – NIGHT
A mixed clientele. High class. Asian and European. But there’s
an edge to the atmosphere. The music’s that bit too loud, that
bit too aggressive. And the people inside don’t look like they’re
having a good time. It seems evil. Sleazy.
Jenna introduces herself to Yuri Karkov, a well dressed and
charismatic Russian in his forties who is surrounded by Thai girls
and fellow Russians including his distinctive looking bodyguard,
Dimitri.
As the camera TRACKS CLOSER to them we start to hear what they’re
saying…
YURI KARKOV
… so why do you want to kill a
policeman? Policemen are good. They
mind their own business and keep the
streets safe. Stop people stealing my
cars…
JENNA
You really want to know?
YURI KARKOV
Yes. It may effect the price.
JENNA
He killed my son.
YURI KARKOV
Revenge. Pricey…
JENNA
This is Bangkok. Nothing’s that
expensive.
YURI KARKOV
You’re right. Most things are cheap in
Bangkok. Especially life… We’ll take
care of this business for you. But it
won’t be easy and it won’t be cheap.
CUT TO:
INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
Chang and his crew eat dinner together.
CUT TO:
EXT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
A crappy van pulls up outside. Out get three Cambodian men. Very
poor, badly clothed. They look like farmers. Only they pull out
semi automatic firearms and head for the restaurant.
CUT TO:
INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
Chang has just finished a meal with the Cops including Kim, Daeng
and Phaiban. Chang is just settling the bill when the Three Gunmen
walk in. He looks up just as they OPEN FIRE.
An insane storm of led rains down on the room, shattering all
the mirrors on the back wall, taking out Two Waitresses and covering
the room with broken glass.
Chang hits the floor and starts to drag himself towards some cover.
Chang’s men are completely pinned down. Phaiban’s been hit and
his white shirt has turned dark red with blood.
Chang keeps edging towards where his jacket’s hanging on a chair.
In it, his pistol.
The Gunmen keep firing. As soon as a clip is finished, they pull
it out and put a fresh one in and keep shooting.
A stray bullet hits the waiter who knocks over the chair Chang’s
jacket’s on. It falls to the ground. With it, his pistol. He grabs
it and returns fire, letting off four rounds.
He takes Gunman One. Head shot, right between the eyes. Gunman
Two sees this and sprays at Chang –
– but Chang manages to dive to cover. He rolls and fires again,
shooting Gunman Two in the chest three times.
Chang’s out of ammo and needs to reload. Gunman Three’s weapon
jams. He drops his weapon and runs.
Before he’s finished reloading his pistol, Chang’s after him.
He sees Phaiban. Dead. Daeng trying to stem the flow of blood
from his chest.
Chang keeps running, determined not to lose his man.
CUT TO:
EXT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
The driver of the crappy van smokes nervously in the driving seat
as he waits. As soon as he sees Gunman Three, panic-stricken,
running in fear, he puts the van in gear, revs the engine and
starts to pull away.
Gunman Three runs after him, crying out for him to slow down.
The Driver slows. Gunman Three struggles to jump into the open
doors.
Chang bursts out of the restaurant. Stops dead. Aims and fires
off two rounds.
Blood spatters across the inside of the windscreen. The Driver
falls forward, dead.
The back door of the van slams shut. Gunman Three thinks he’s
made it. He’s wrong. The van isn’t going anywhere.
Chang approaches the back door of the van, ready to fire.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Do you want to die? Do you want me to
kill you? For what you’ve done?
A long pause. Finally:
GUNMAN THREE (O.S.)
(IN THAI)
No. Please. Don’t kill me.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Tell me why not. Tell me why I shouldn’t
shoot you as soon as you come out of
that door.
GUNMAN THREE (O.S.)
(IN THAI)
I’m sorry?
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Not good enough.
GUNMAN THREE (O.S.)
(IN THAI)
It’s my first time. I’ve never done
anything like this before.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
I know that. You’re wearing sandals.
Hitmen don’t wear sandals.
The door opens. Sandaled feet step out of the van. Gunman Three
comes out with his hands up, falling to his knees. Chang continues
to point his weapon at the unarmed man.
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
Give me a reason.
The Cops appear behind him in the doorway. Chang holds his ground.
His finger twitches. It looks like he’s going to pull the trigger.
GUNMAN THREE
(IN THAI)
I’m begging you. Please–
CHANG
(IN THAI)
You showed no mercy in there. Why should
mercy be shown to you?
GUNMAN THREE
(IN THAI)
I don’t know…
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Yes you do.
A long beat.
GUNMAN THREE
(IN THAI)
I don’t know his name.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
But you know where he is.
Gunman Three looks up… Nods.
CUT TO:
INT. COVERED ELECTRICAL MARKET – NIGHT
Flanked by the Cops, Chang frog marches Gunman Three through the
crowds, passing various stalls that seem to sell anything you
could ever want for your TV, computer or Hi-fi.
Gunman Three is so scared that he keeps forgetting the route and
fretting about which way to turn at every junction in the
warren-like market.
Finally they reach the entrance to a particular shop.
CUT TO:
INT. ELECTRICAL SHOP – NIGHT
Chang enters, followed by the others. Gunman Three is incredibly
relieved to have found it. Li Po stands behind the counter – beside
him sits Pan, a twelve year old boy who is severely handicapped.
As soon as Li Po sees Chang and his crew arrive with Gunman Three
next to them he knows the game’s up. He can’t run. His kid’s sitting
there…
He approaches them with a heavy sigh.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
You know why we’re here.
LI PO
(IN THAI)
Yes…
GUNMAN THREE
(IN THAI)
He set it up. He knows who ordered the
hit. He’ll tell you.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Don’t talk unless I ask you to.
Understood?
GUNMAN THREE
(IN THAI)
Yes. Completely understood.
Chang turns to Li Po.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Do you have anything to say for
yourself?
LI PO
(IN THAI)
I’m a salesman. Some of the things I
sell aren’t exactly legal… But I’ll
give you the man that hired the hit…
Chang stares at him…
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Good…
Li Po summons the contact details on his distinctive looking mobile
phone. Proffers it to Chang.
LI PO
(IN THAI)
As for myself, I’m not scared of paying
for what I’ve done. I just… just don’t
hurt my son.
Chang looks down at Pan – who is just staring at them, not
understanding the situation.
Chang takes the phone from Li Po.
GUNMAN THREE
(IN THAI)
You see? He knows. He’s got the details.
I told you he would.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
And I told you not to talk unless I asked
you.
Chang aims his gun at Gunman Three.
GUNMAN THREE
(IN THAI)
Wait. You said if I took you to him you’d
let me live.
Chang shakes his head.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
I never said that.
Chang fires. Gunman Three’s brains spatter across the TV screens
on the far side of the wall.
Pan begins to cry and Li Po hugs him and tells him how much he
loves him… thinking they’re next…
Chang studies the mobile phone.
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
This him?
Li Po nods – scared.
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
Where do I find him?
LI PO
(IN THAI)
Skylight bar at the Jupiter.. Every
night.
Chang studies Li Po making sure he speaks the truth… then nods.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
I’m taking your phone.
Chang turns to leave.
LI PO
(IN THAI)
What about me?
Beat. Chang considers. Looks at Pan who’s staring at Chang in
fear. Looks back at Li Po.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
I forgive you…
CUT TO:
EXT. THE JUPITER – NIGHT
A people carrier pulls up outside the hotel. The doormen open
the side door and step back when they see the heavily armed and
bloodstained policemen get out, led by Chang.
CUT TO:
INT. SKYLIGHT BAR – NIGHT
PICK OUT Dimitri and the group of Russian Criminals. Yuri Karkov
is in the centre of them, a girl on either arm.
Chang leads the Cops into the bar. He fires two shots into the
ceiling. That shuts everyone up and gets the Russian Criminals
up and ready for a confrontation. Half the bar’s emptied by the
time Chang reaches Yuri Karkov.
YURI
You better have a fucking good reason
for doing this. Don’t you know who
you’re fucking with.
Chang looks at him.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
You live in my country. Can’t speak my
language… Too bad the one guy on my
team that could speak English got
murdered today.
Yuri looks round for help. He can’t understand a word.
YURI
Can someone tell me what the fuck this
guy’s trying to say…
Chang calls over to the barman.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Can you turn the music off. It won’t
be long, I promise.
The music’s killed.
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
That’s better. Thank you very much…
Chang pulls out Li Po’s distinctive mobile phone.
Dimitri, currently flanking Yuri, turns white.
Chang calls a number. A beat. Then a phone starts ringing in
Dimitri’s jacket pocket (with a really cheesy ringtone). Dimitri
winces. Chang shakes his head.
Yuri pulls a gun. Kim shoots him dead. Chang moves his gun across
to Dimitri. Holds his mobile phone up to his ear.
Dimitri answers. Chang speaks through the phone.
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN ENGLISH)
You’re under arrest…
CUT TO:
INT. SKYLIGHT BAR – LATER
WE TRACK IN on Dimitri as he stares at Chang, a rabbit in the
headlights. Chang slowly sits down next to him. Talks to him in
English.
CHANG (CONT’D)
I need information.
Phaiban spins a spotlight onto Dimitri.
CHANG (CONT’D)
And you’re going to help me.
Suddenly the atmosphere in the emptied club shifts. It’s as if
Dimitri and Chang are locked into some kind of surreal
performance…
CHANG (CONT’D)
Whether you like it or not.
Dimitri’s body starts to shake in fear.
DIMITRI
It was an English woman – she wanted
you dead…
A beat. Not what Chang expected…
CHANG
Why?
DIMITRI
Said you… murdered her son….
CHANG
Who was she?
DIMITRI
I don’t know…
CHANG
How did she know me?
Dimitri shakes his head. He really doesn’t know.
DIMITRI
She asked for you by name…
CHANG
And what’s my name?
DIMITRI
CHANG–
Chang starts to circle him. Dimitri’s terrified. Doesn’t know
what the fuck he’s on about. Suddenly he’s grabbed from behind
by Phaiban.
Chang smashes a beer bottle and walks up behind Dimitri…
CHANG
(IN THAI)
I see the way you look at my people.
The way you abuse them with your eyes.
For this, I take your sight.
He pushes the broken bottle into Dimitri’s eyes. Gauges them out.
Dimitri screams hysterically – calling out for his mother in
Russian…
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
You live in my country, but you fail
to learn our language. You don’t even
try. For this I take your tongue…
Phaibun grabs Dimitri’s head from behind. Chang presses down on
his stomach with his knee and opens his mouth – grabs hold of
his tongue and with a blade slowly cuts it off.
…Dimitri’s screams become more like the howls of a dying
animal…
Chang looks at him and his men release Dimitri who stumbles around
the room like a chicken without a head…
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
You had opportunities. You could have
chosen other paths… But you wouldn’t
listen… For this I give you
silence…
Chang grabs Dimitri and pushes the knife into his ear. First one
side, then the other.
SOUND OUT. We can’t hear Dimitri’s screaming. We can’t hear
anything at all.
Beat.
MUSIC STARTS. Painful and beautiful, but also tacky… The opening
bars to one of Dolly Parton’s classics. Karaoke style.
NADEE (V.O.)
If I should stay, I would only be in
your way.
So I’ll go, but I know I’ll think of
you every step of the way.
And Chang with his crew just stare at the tortured Russian as
he screams until his lungs are ready to burst.
CUT TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR – NIGHT
Nadee and Chang on stage. Singing their hearts out.
CHANG AND NADEE
And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
You, my darling you. Hmm.
His crew watch, emotion etched on their faces…
CUT TO:
INT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL / JENNA’S ROOM – NIGHT
Gordon is sitting on a chair in Jenna’s hotel room, a whiskey
in his hand, the Bangkok skyline behind him.
NADEE (V.O.)
Bittersweet memories that is all I’m
taking with me.
So, goodbye. Please don’t cry,
Jenna walks in from the bedroom wearing her dressing gown and
walks over to him – a commanding presence. He makes to get up
but she pushes him down and then leans down and kisses him hard
on the mouth.
CHANG (V.O.)
We both know that I’m not what you, you
need.
CUT TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR – NIGHT
Nadee and Chang continue singing – a spotlight beaming down on
them, singling them out in the shadowy bar.
CHANG AND NADEE
And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
CUT TO:
INT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL / JENNA’S ROOM – NIGHT
Jenna and Gordon are still kissing as the guitar solo of the
instrumental section kicks in…
CUT TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR – NIGHT
As Chang waits for the instrumental section to end, he starts
to cry, letting the tears flow without embarrassment. Nadee puts
her arm around him to comfort him.
The rest of the crew start crying as well, Daeng in particular.
NADEE
I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you’ve dreamed
of…
And I wish you, joy and happiness.
CHANG
But above all this, I wish you love.
And I will always love you.
CUT TO:
INT. THAI BOXING CLUB – NIGHT
Julian trains alone in the night…
NADEE(V.O.)
I will always love you.
CHANG (V.O.)
I will always love you.
CUT TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR- NIGHT
Nadee and Chang holding hands…
CHANG / NADEE (O.S.)
I will always love you.
I will always love you…
I, I will always love you.
CUT TO:
INT. THAI BOXING CLUB – NIGHT
…Julian stares at his reflection.
CHANG / NADEE (V.O.)
You, darling, I love you.
Ooh, I’ll always, I’ll always love you.
Julian lifts his fists up. The same fighting pose we saw him in
at the very beginning. He’s ready. Ready as he’ll ever be.
CUT TO:
BLACK
FADE IN:
INT. THAI BOXING RING – NIGHT
Two figures kneel on either side of the ring. Julian and Chang.
Both wearing Mongkol. Totally still.
The ceremonial music begins…
Slowly Julian and Chang start to perform Ram Muay, the ancient,
traditional dance which the rules of the game say must be carried
out before a fight takes place.
It is both strange and spiritual: Julian and Chang move their
arms rhythmically, in time to the music, their hands describing
shapes and outlining fighting positions.
As the dance develops, so their positions become more combative;
now crouching, now standing, hinting at the kicks and punches
that they’re about to perform… but all carried out with an almost
beatific precision that is at odds with the violence that is about
to follow…
FADE OUT.
The Music Ends. A moment of stillness, and then slowly we bring
up the SOUND of the baying crowd. Chanting. Screaming. Wild
excitement. Ready for the fight they’ve all been waiting for…
FADE IN:
INT. THAI BOXING RING – NIGHT
The crowd is packed. In one corner: Julian. Charlie Ling beside
him along with Ko Sam. He looks focussed. Confident.
In the other corner: Chang. Kim next to him along with a couple
of his crew. He looks incredibly calm.
The first bell sounds. Five second warning…
Chang looks over into the crowd. Kanita with Nadee. Kanita offers
him a ‘thumbs up’. Chang smiles. Returns it.
Julian looks over. Sees Mai take a seat. She holds his gaze.
The second bell sounds. The first of five rounds. Julian and Chang
walk up to the centre of the ring. The Referee stands between
them. Brings them together. A quick look down to the Three Judges.
Then a look between the two fighters.
Julian eyes Chang. Steely determination in his eyes. Chang looks
back at him without emotion.
REFEREE
(IN THAI)
Fight.
Julian and Chang circle each other. Julian moves in to attack
first. He throws a straight left first to Chang’s face and steps
his left foot forward at the same time. Chang bends his right
leg, dodging the attack. He then pounces on the upper part of
Julian’s arm with his right hand and catches his wrist with his
left hand. He tries to turn Julian’s front wrist up, but Julian’s
too strong. This is a surprise for Chang. He breaks and steps
back.
Julian moves in to attack again, raising both elbows to make an
attack on Chang’s head. Chang steps forward and pulls an uppercut,
connecting hard with Julian’s chin. Julian moves back, dazed.
Takes a moment to get his bearings back. That hurt.
Chang doesn’t take the opportunity to attack. He hangs back.
Waiting for Julian to come at him again. This pisses Julian off.
He moves forward and throws an offensive kick with his right foot.
Chang moves back to dodge the attack and swivels to try and strike
with a counter attack. He moves too slow. The right footed attack
was a feint. Julian slams his right foot down on the floor and
uses it to swivel, unleashing a kick with his left which connects
with Chang’s jaw and sends him flying back.
Julian uses his forward motion to propel him onwards. He bounds
over to the disoriented Chang and hits him with a series of jabs
and punches to his upper body and face.
Chang’s almost on the ropes. Julian comes in hard with kicks to
the shins with his right foot. Chang bends his body to pass under
Julian’s right foot. Julian misses the target. Chang manages to
place his right foot on Julian’s left knee-joint which makes him
fall down.
Julian’s in a vulnerable position, but Chang doesn’t move to make
the killer blow. He steps back to let him recover. Again this
enrages Julian.
He gets up and moves forward towards Chang. He comes in with a
high right kick. Again Chang manages to dodge the attack and returns
with a right foot to the back of Julian’s left knee. Julian swivels,
punches air, and gets a trio of punches in his gut. His guard’s
down. But again no killer punch.
JULIAN
Come on.
Chang retreats. Shrugs at Julian. You come on.
Julian moves towards him, but before he gets a chance to take
out his frustrations, the bell goes. End of round one.
Julian stalks back to his corner. He turns to look at Chang, a
look of intense anger and frustration.
CUT TO:
INT. THAI BOXING RING – NIGHT
Julian moves towards the middle where Chang is already waiting.
Julian waits for Chang this time. Chang is reluctant to attack.
A waiting game… Who will strike first… Chang wins. Julian
moves to kick Chang in the ribs, keeping both his hands down as
he moves in. Chang predicts this and prepares to throw his own
kick as it comes in. Chang steps back, but again Julian swivels,
using his right foot instead to pivot and unleashes a killer strike
with his left foot. Chang goes flying backwards.
PICK OUT the look of concern etched on the faces of Nadee and
Kanita.
Chang recovers but Julian moves in fast with a series of punches
and elbows. Chang’s on the ropes now and getting badly beaten.
He clings on to Julian to limit the damage.
REFEREE
(IN THAI)
Break.
The two fighters step back from each other. Chang’s face is damaged.
Juilan’s about to get stuck into him again when the bell sounds.
End of the second round.
Round three: Julian slamming punches into Chang. Nadee comforting
Kanita. Telling her it’ll be okay. Chang responding with kicks
and elbows. Defensive blocks and counter attacks. Mai willing
Julian on. Jenna watching with Gordon…
End of round: Julian feeling more confident. Again his eyes scan
the crowd. This time he sees what he’s looking for: Jenna.
Chang eyeballs Julian from the other corner. Sees him staring
into the crowd. Looks over. Tries to see what he’s looking at
but can’t make it out.
POV from Chang as he sees Jenna make her way toward Julian. When
she gets to him we see her saying something to Julian about the
fight – urging him to hit harder…
Jenna then walks back to Gordon…
On Chang. Deep in thought. He gets up early. Walks around the
ring. Looking into the crowd.
Jenna sees him. Stares at him. Suddenly nervous.
Everything slows down as Chang clocks her again. The colours of
the room change from blue to yellow to red. He’s seen her and
she knows she’s been seen. And he knows. And she knows that he
knows…
The bell goes off. Back to reality. Chang turns round. Too late.
He gets a massive blow to his head. He goes down hard.
The Referee starts counting.
Nadee and Kanita watch on, fearful.
Jenna holds her breath. Hopeful that he might be down and out.
Kim watches on, concerned.
KIM
(IN THAI)
Get up. Please get up.
After a long, terrible pause… Chang gets up. He looks over into
the crowd. Makes eye contact with his wife. It’s okay.
She shakes her head. She can’t bear it. Tears running down her
face.
Back on his feet, Chang suddenly drops his guard. Julian hesitates,
confused. Chang leans in close to him. Winks.
CHANG
It wasn’t you, was it?
Julian shrugs, puts his guard up.
CHANG (CONT’D)
You’re innocent.
JULIAN
What are you talking about?
CHANG
It’s not your fault.
Chang raises his arms again. Ready to fight. Julian gets ready
to attack but something’s changed. The fire’s gone out of him.
He looks over to his mother, to Mai, Chang’s words echoing in
his mind.
It’s not his fault.
Then Chang comes in with a flurry of punches. Left, right, left,
right. Julian just takes them…
Chang pauses in the onslaught. Julian stays motionless in the
middle of the ring.
Chang runs at him, flings his right foot, swivels, pulling out
a roundhouse left kick –
– which makes contact with Julian’s draw.
SLOW MOTION as Julian’s head takes the impact.
He’s out cold before he hits the floor.
CUT TO:
BLACK.
FADE IN:
INT. CORRIDORS – NIGHT
Jenna hurries down the corridor. She reaches the dressing room
door. She’s about to knock but she stops. She opens the door silently
and lets herself in.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANGING ROOMS – NIGHT
Julian’s sitting on the treatment table, his face covered in cuts
and bruises…
Jenna watches him in silence from the shadows, steadies her
breathing and then slips back out of the room.
CUT TO:
INT. CORRIDORS – NIGHT
Jenna comes out of the changing rooms as Mai approaches. Jenna
shakes her head.
JENNA
He doesn’t want to see anyone.
Mai is disappointed. Doesn’t know what to say.
JENNA (CONT’D)
Just give him time…
MAI
…tell him I came?
JENNA
Of course.
Jenna hugs Mai close.
JENNA (CONT’D)
We’ll get him through this together.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANGING ROOMS – NIGHT
Julian turns when he hears a knock at the door. Says nothing.
Jenna enters and closes the door behind her. She stands there
for a moment as if considering what to say…
JENNA
You deserved to win. You should’ve
WON–
JULIAN
Give it a break mum. Just… give it
as rest.
He steps into the light. She reaches out to touch him.
JENNA
I’ll never get use to seeing you get
hurt – even when you win.
JULIAN
Yeah, well I lost.
JENNA
And did it make a difference?
Julian says nothing.
JENNA (CONT’D)
I want to know… Did it make a
difference?
Slowly he shakes his head.
JULIAN
… No… it didn’t make a
difference… No difference at all.
JENNA
And how do you feel now?
JULIAN
Nothing. I don’t feel anything at all.
JENNA
Don’t you see, that’s how I felt when
Billy died…
Julian studies his mother.
JULIAN
What do you want, Mum?
Beat.
JENNA
What d’you think I want? I want it to
be like it used to be… I don’t want
to lose you…
Jenna starts crying. Could be real, could be an act – hard to
tell she’s so good…
JULIAN
What’s wrong Mum?
She shakes her head. Can’t say it.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
What’s wrong?
JENNA
He knows… He knows it was me.
JULIAN
Who does?
Beat. Jenna says nothing. Julian thinks… Cogs turn…
JULIAN (CONT’D)
Chang?
Jenna nods.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
What did you do, Mum? What did you do?
Jenna makes her hand into a pistol. Pretends to fire it into her
skull. She tried to have Chang killed. Julian’s speechless.
JENNA
He’s going to come after me. And after
he’s come after me, he’s going to come
after you.
Julian stares at his mother; fragile, terrified, alone.
JENNA (CONT’D)
I’m scared, Julian.
Julian stares at his mother.
JENNA (CONT’D)
What are we going to do?
Julian begins to realize what he has to do… and he looks at
his hands. Finally…
JULIAN
We’ll be okay – I’ll do it, I’ll take
him out…
JENNA
Not just him. We’ve got to take them
all out.
Julian stares at her – the power she has over him…
JENNA (CONT’D)
Kill them all. The final solution.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT / KITCHEN – NIGHT
Chang, Nadee and Kanita are having a nice dinner – happy that
Chang won and enjoying each other’s company in silence…
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT / KANITA’S BEDROOM
Chang tucks in his daughter. Nadee watches from the doorway.
Kanita still has some dolls on her bed. He starts taking them
off. Notices one of them is broken.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
What happened to the princess’ head?
KANITA
(IN THAI)
The monsters were angry. They bit it
off.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
I thought the King banished them all
from his kingdom?
KANITA
(IN THAI)
These were new monsters. The woods are
full of them.
Chang holds the broken princess’ body. A sudden wave of fear washes
over him. A sense of doom.
KANITA (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
What’s wrong Dad?
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Nothing’s wrong. Go to sleep.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT / KITCHEN
Chang speaks on the phone.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
They’re going to come after me… Okay.
Good.
He ends the call. Stares at his reflection in the window.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT / MAIN BEDROOM – NIGHT
Chang gets into bed next to his wife. Switches off the light.
The two of them are bathed in moonlight. He holds his wife’s hand.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR – DAY
It’s still early – the sun is only just starting to rise over
he city.
Charlie Ling’s driving, Ko Sam beside him. Julian’s in the back
street. His face is a mask, his eyes hidden by his sunglasses…
next to him is a silver shining motorcycle helmet.
CUT TO:
IN. CHANG’S APARTMENT / KITCHEN – DAY
Chang is eating breakfast as he watches a western on TV.
CUT TO:
EXT. THAI SHOPPING STREET – DAY
Nadee and Kanita walk through the various stalls buying groceries.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT – DAY
Chang is dressed – finishing putting on his tie – ready for the
day. He walks into his sitting room as he hears his mobile ring.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Hello…
VOICE
(IN THAI)
She is in her room…
CHANG
(IN THAI)
You sure it’s her?
VOICE
(IN THAI)
Yes…
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Good… see you very soon.
…and Chang hangs up… The Angel of Vengeance getting ready
to strike again.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT BUILDING – DAY
Chang steps out of his apartment into the hallway where a uniformed
policeman sits on guard reading a Manga comic.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
What’s your name?
LI HOM
(IN THAI)
Li Hom.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Listen Li Hom. You see anyone you don’t
like… You call me, okay?
Li Hom nods. Chang leaves.
LI HOM
(IN THAI)
And by the way…
Chang turns.
LI HOM (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
Congratulations. Last night. Everyone
in the station’s talking about it.
Chang nods. Leaves.
CUT TO:
INT. / EXT. CAR – DAY
The car’s parked outside Gordon’s apartment block. Gordon’s not
shown. Julian’s calling him…
JULIAN
We’re outside.
GORDON (V.O.)
Sorry mate, something’s come up.
Julian pauses. Can’t believe it.
JULIAN
I need you here. Right now.
GORDON (V.O.)
I know but… I’m busy. What I’m doing,
it’s important. I’m sorry mate.
Julian’s incredibly frustrated but hasn’t got time to argue.
JULIAN
Okay.
Julian kills his phone. He’s still for a moment, then:
JULIAN (CONT’D)
Let’s make a move.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL – DAY
Chang and the Cops walk into the hotel. Chang heads for the elevators
while Kim approaches reception.
Chang calls the lift and waits. Kim comes back.
KIM
They wont disturb us.
Chang nods. The elevator door opens.
CHANG
What floor?
KIM
Top.
CUT TO:
INT. ELEVATOR – DAY
Chang and the Cops are standing in the elevator waiting to get
off. Elevator music plays…
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT – DAY
Julian is walking around Chang’s apartment… looking at all
family pictures… getting a sense of how they live.
He opens drawers and closets and studies all the photos of Chang
as a boxer and soldier.
…on a wall is a framed article in Thai that Charlie Ling is
reading.
JULIAN
What’s it say?
Charlie starts reading the article out:
CHARLIE LING
“Boxing Cop Hero Back From Grave”. One
of Bangkok’s finest, blah blah blah,
came out of a coma that lasted for an
entire year, waking up as if nothing
had happened… Wife was really happy,
blah blah blah… “It’s hard to
describe” Chang said, “but I do feel
different.”
Charlie starts to sneer as he reads. Julian is listening intently.
CHARLIE LING (CONT’D)
“I experienced something
metaphysical, impossible to
explain… I travelled to many places
and saw many things… And when I woke
up I was no longer the man I once was…”
JULIAN
The Angel Of Vengeance.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT BUILDING – DAY
Nadee and Kanita come out of the elevator and Nadee quickly sees
that police guard from before has been replaced by someone else
(Ko Sam)…
Ko Sam smiles…
KO SAM
(IN THAI)
I’m the new guard. Please, go on in.
Nadee looks at him suspiciously but enters the apartment with
Kanita. Ko Sam pretends to go back to reading his Manga comic.
CUT TO:
INT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL / JENNA’S ROOM – DAY
Jenna sips tea from a China cup. She puts it back down on to her
saucer. Kim is sitting opposite her. Chang stands in the
background.
JENNA
I came here to collect my son’s body.
Now it’s released, my business in
Bangkok is completed.
KIM
When are you leaving?
JENNA
Tonight.
KIM
And your other son – is he going with
you?
JENNA
I’ve had no real contact with Julian
since he ran away.
KIM
You watched him fight.
Jenna looks over to Chang.
JENNA
I watched him lose. And he deserved to.
You were the better fighter. My only
sadness is that Billy got caught up in
what he’s doing out here. And paid for
it with his life.
Kim and the rest of the crew take this in.
JENNA (CONT’D)
I’ll never testify against my own flesh
and blood, Officer Chang. But he’s a
killer.
Chang senses something. Starts to become agitated.
JENNA (CONT’D)
… It pains me to say it, but my own
son is a killer. He killed a cop back
in England ten years ago. He’s been on
the run ever since. I say son… But
he hasn’t been a son to me.
Chang stares at the door to the bedroom. Feels the presence of
someone the other side of the door.
JENNA (CONT’D)
Not for a long time. Not since he killed
that cop back home… That was ten years
ago. He’s been running ever since. And
he’ll never stop until he’s caught.
Until you catch him.
Chang starts to push the door open…
Behind him Jenna stands up.
Before Chang fully opens the door, his mobile phone rings. It
sounds INCREDIBLY loud. He takes it out and looks at the display
with a feeling of dread.
He answers…
CHANG
(IN THAI)
HELLO
NADEE (V.O.)
(IN THAI)
It’s me… Did you change the guard?
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT / KITCHEN – DAY
Nadee is in the kitchen putting away the groceries as she is speaking
with Chang…
CHANG (V.O.)
(IN THAI)
No.
NADEE
(IN THAI)
Someone else is out there now…
CUT TO:
INT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL / JENNA’S ROOM – DAY
Chang begins to panic. His eyes fall upon Jenna.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Get out of the apartment…
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT / KITCHEN
Nadee hear’s Kanita call for her from the living room.
NADEE
(IN THAI)
Hold on…
CUT TO:
INT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL / JENNA’S ROOM – DAY
Chang screams down the phone:
CHANG
(IN THAI)
GET OUT OF THE APARTMENT!
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT / KITCHEN – DAY
… But Nadee is holding the phone against her chest and can’t
hear Chang as she walks into the living room…
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT / LIVING ROOM – DAY
… where Julian is sitting on the couch wearing the motorcycle
helmet, a shotgun on his lap.
Kanita is standing in the middle of the room, staring at Julian.
Charlie Ling leans against the opposite wall, a pistol in his
hand.
Nadee remains silent, trying to think fast.
CUT TO:
INT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL / JENNA’S ROOM – DAY
Chang listens to the phone, knowing something’s wrong.
Jenna stares at him, defiant. Their eyes lock briefly. But Chang
hasn’t got time for this. He barges past her and out of the room.
CUT TO:
INT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL / CORRIDOR – DAY
The CAMERA TRACKS with Chang as he runs down the corridor in total
desperation.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT BUILDING – DAY
The CAMERA ZOOMS towards the main door.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT – DAY
CLOSE ON Nadee who stares at the main door then slowly turns back
to Julian. She knows they’re trapped.
Beat.
NADEE
(IN THAI)
Kanita – go to your room.
But Kanita stands still – fear in her eyes.
NADEE (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
… go to your room now.
And slowly Kanita walks towards her room as Charlie Ling watches
her… Kanita closes the door.
Beat – silence…
Julian stands up and walks toward Nadee – raises his shotgun and
blows her head off.
Blood spatters onto the wall, bits of brain and skull everywhere
as her body falls to the ground…
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK STREETS – DAY
Chang stops in his tracks. It’s as if he can feel the shotgun
blast in his heart. He knows what’s just happened… He stands
still. He closes his eyes as if he had only to wish to make it
all go away… He opens them again to see…
The street is completely deserted. Chang stands alone in the middle
of a ghost town.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT – DAY
Julian takes off his helmet that’s covered in blood, throws it
onto the floor and walks toward the front door.
CHARLIE LING
Wait…
Julian turns back. Charlie Ling nods towards Kanita’s room.
CHARLIE LING (CONT’D)
The kid.
Julian shakes his head.
JULIAN
No way.
CHARLIE LING
SHE SAID–
JULIAN
Who said?
Beat.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
My mother?
Charlie Ling nods.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
What kind of a mother says that?
CHARLIE LING
If you’ve got a problem, talk to her.
JULIAN
No. We’re not doing it.
CHARLIE LING
You don’t have to. I will.
Charlie Ling kicks open the door. Julian realises he can’t let
him do it.
And as Charlie Ling sees Kanita… Julian shoots him in the back.
Charlie Ling slumps to the floor.
Julian approaches the doorway. He looks in. Sees Kanita sitting
on her bed. She stares at Julian, Charlie Ling’s dead body at
his feet. They hold each other’s gaze… and then Julian slowly
bows his head and leaves…
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S APARTMENT BUILDING – DAY
Julian walks out of the apartment with the shotgun raised,
expecting to shoot Ko Sam…
But the hallway is empty…
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK STREETS – DAY
Julian stumbles out of the apartment, desperately catching his
breath. He ends up leaning on a stall – similar to the one he
knocked over outside Choi Yan Lee’s kiosk. Candles and incense.
Buddha’s smiling back at him…
Julian looks around him and again everything seems intense and
incredibly vibrant… A group of school children, all of whom
are Downs Syndrome, are crossing the road. Smiles plastered across
their faces… Julian stares at them… Their presence seems to
have a calming effect on him, as if they’re giving him new energy
to do what he’s starting to realize he has to do next.
CUT TO:
INT. CHANG’S HOUSE – DAY
Chang stares at the body of his dead wife. Perfectly still. His
crew in the background…
CUT TO:
INT. FOUR SEASON’S HOTEL / RECEPTION – DAY
Julian walks across towards the lift, the shotgun hidden inside
his shirt.
CUT TO:
INT. LIFT – DAY
Lift music. Julian stands perfectly still in the lift as it goes
up… Just like Chang did before…
CUT TO:
INT. CORRIDOR – DAY
As Julian walks down the corridor he takes the shotgun out – holds
it out in front of him as if it were a sacred weapon…
He reaches the door to his mother’s room and pauses.
Julian stares at the door as if it was heaven’s gate… He loads
the shotgun with two fresh cartridges.
JULIAN
Only God forgives. And now mother –
you will die…
He rings the bell, raising the shotgun, ready to shoot. The door
OPENS –
– but it’s Gordon who opens it, dressed in a bathrobe.
Confused, Julian continues to level the weapon at his head. Gordon
backs away into the room.
GORDON
Easy…
Julian says nothing. Edges into the room. The gun still pointed
at Gordon’s head.
Julian says nothing. Kicks the door closed with his foot.
JULIAN
Where’s is she?
GORDON
She’s gone… Picked up Billy’s
body… She’s gone home.
Finally Julian lowers the shotgun.
GORDON (CONT’D)
Didn’t she tell you?
Julian sits down.
GORDON (CONT’D)
You alright mate? D’you want
something?
Julian mumbles to himself… then turns to Gordon. Realisation
dawning on him:
JULIAN
I’m so fucked…
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE STATION / INTERVIEW ROOM – DAY
Kanita sits in a chair, her father standing behind her. Very formal.
Kim is showing her various head shots of criminals…
Kanita shakes her head until Chang puts down a picture of Julian.
She looks up at her father – nods…
CUT TO:
INT. CAR – DAY
Jenna gazes out of the window. She takes out her compact and adjusts
her make up.
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK – DAY
Jenna’s taxi heads over the Mega Bridge, taking her away towards
the airport.
CUT TO:
INT. UNDERGROUND CARPARK – DAY
Gordon and Julian walk towards Gordon’s car, the sounds of their
footsteps ricocheting off the concrete walls.
Reaching the car, Gordon stands by the driver’s door as Julian
heads for the passenger’s side.
Gordon pauses before unlocking the door. Looks over to Julian,
talking across the roof of the car.
GORDON
We’re good mates aren’t we?
Beat. Julian’s instantly suspicious…
JULIAN
… Yeah.
GORDON
I’m sorry about this Julian. I wish
there was another way…
Gordon levels a pistol at Julian’s head.
JULIAN
What did she say? What did she promise
you?
GORDON
Don’t make this harder–
GUNSHOT. A bullet RIPS through Julian’s shoulder. He falls back
on the car behind him setting off a chorus of car alarms.
Gordon starts to walk round to deliver the killer blow.
GORDON (CONT’D)
You’ve become a liability. You can see
that, can’t you?
Julian looks at the wound. It’s deep but he’s not totally
incapacitated. He pulls the shotgun out from under his shirt.
It clatters to the floor.
GORDON (CONT’D)
And now she wants me to take over. She
wants me to be the favoured son. What
am I supposed to say?
Julian sinks to his knees, leaning over to pick up the shotgun.
He’s got seconds…
GORDON (CONT’D)
I didn’t want it to end like this. First
I fuck your mother. Then I–
Gordon turns the corner – but Julian’s in position. Two shots
in quick succession. Both barrels fired at Gordon’s chest.
The force of the explosion FLINGS Gordon’s body against the far
wall of the car park. Dead instantly.
Julian pulls himself up and stands there, the smoking shotgun
acting as a makeshift crutch. He gazes at Gordon’s steaming corpse,
appalled by the turn of events…
CUT TO:
EXT. ALLEYWAY – DAY
Julian falls out into a side street. He’s badly wounded but he’s
going to make it…
CUT TO:
INT. TOILET – DAY
Julian takes the top off a vodka bottle with his teeth. He pours
the spirit over his wound. It stings like hell and Julian screams
in agony.
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK STREETS – DUSK
Julian walks out into the night, the neon glow turning the streets
into a modern day Hades….
Although the wound isn’t life threatening, Julian’s face is pale
from the loss of blood. He looks like a ghost.
He sees two cops chatting on a street corner. They don’t see him,
they’re not even looking for him, but they remind him. Chang.
It’s just a matter of time…
Julian keeps walking. Wipes sweat from his face. Looking for a
place to hide. A hole in the ground. Anything.
Then suddenly it comes to him. A single idea. A possible way of
escape…
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN – NIGHT
A series of napkins are rolled and placed in a steadily growing
pile.
The work is being carried out by Mai who has a lowly position
in a massive and sterile industrial kitchen. Not the sort of life
she planed on having…
A Co-Worker calls out to her…
CO-WORKER
(IN THAI)
Mai. Some guy’s out there asking for
you.
Mai finishes the last napkin and places it on the pile. She walks
towards the exit, passing her Co-Worker…
CO-WORKER (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
Don’t forget it’s supposed to be my
break next.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY – NIGHT
Mai comes from round a corner and sees Julian leaning against
the wall. She checks that they’re alone, knowing instinctively
that he’s in trouble.
MAI
What happened to you?
Beat. Julian almost smiles.
JULIAN
I’ve got to get out of Bangkok. Didn’t
want to leave…
He winces.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
… without saying goodbye.
MAI
Who did this to you?
A pause.
JULIAN
My mother… She made me what I am. And
now I’ve got nothing. And they’re after
me.
Mai stares at him.
MAI
Come with me…
Julian looks at her.
MAI (CONT’D)
…to Cambodia – we can hide there…
You’ll be safe there.
Mai and Julian smile at each other. It’s sweet. Innocent.
JULIAN
I got about twelve grand at the club…
Should be enough to get us there. Set
ourselves up. Disappear…
MAI
Now?
JULIAN
Right now.
Mai looks around – they’re alone.
MAI
Wait outside…
CUT TO:
INT. / EXT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
Julian watches as Mai comes into the Restaurant from the kitchen
and walks over to the bar area…
Making sure no one’s watching, Mai starts to pull money out of
the til…
Julian looks over at the shop front next to him… A Travel Agency.
Pictures of holidays and beaches. Paradise. It all seems in his
grasp.
Mai comes up to him…
MAI
Let’s go.
CUT TO:
INT. TAXI – NIGHT
Mai and Julian are in the Taxi. He puts his arm around her. They’re
on their way…
CUT TO:
EXT. THAI BOXING CLUB – NIGHT
The taxi pulls up outside Juilan’s club.
CUT TO:
INT. TAXI – NIGHT
Julian gets out of the taxi.
JULIAN
Stay here. If I’m not out in five
minutes… Go.
Mai nods.
MAI
Five minutes.
Julian nods and slams the door shut. Mai watches Juilan disappear
into the building.
CUT TO:
INT. THAI BOXING CLUB – NIGHT
We PAN THROUGH Julian’s empty club. It’s silent and empty like
a tomb…
We PICK UP Julian as he hurries through towards his office.
CUT TO:
INT. BACK ROOM – NIGHT
Back where we first met him…
Julian flings open the door to his safe and starts pulling wads
of money into a canvas hold all.
He’s about to leave when he notices someone standing in the shadows
behind him.
Slowly, out of the darkness, a series of figures appear like
vampires… Chang and the Cops. Impossible to say how long they’ve
been standing there…
Chang and Julian stare at each other…
CHANG
Let’s go.
We TRACK IN to a CLOSE SHOT on Julian. It’s almost as if this
moment was inevitable.
CUT TO:
EXT. THAI BOXING CLUB – NIGHT
Chang brings Julian out of the club. A police car is waiting outside.
Mai sits in the back seat.
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK – NIGHT
The police car drives through the city streets and onto the freeway
heading out of town.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE CAR – NIGHT
Daeng is driving. Kim sits next to him. Daeng looks into the rearview
mirror to see–
Julian and Mai sitting next to Chang. Mai looks scared… Julian
more accepting of his fate…
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK – NIGHT
The Police Car heads over the Mega Bridge and continues its way
out of town.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR – NIGHT
They all sit in the car in silence.
CUT TO:
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE – DAWN
The Police Car pulls up.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD – NIGHT
Chang leads Juilan across the field. The Cops follow a few steps
behind with Mai.
Suddenly, and completely unexpectedly, Chang punches Julian in
the gut… Julian falls to the floor and Chang starts to viciously
attack him, punching and kicking him.
Finally Julian, unable to defend himself, is lying on the ground,
immobile.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Get up.
Julian rolls over. Eyes Chang. Slowly he starts to get up onto
his knees. They continue, Chang forcing Julian to crawl as they
make their way further into the field.
Then Chang stops…
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
Get up. Now.
Julian struggles to get up to his feet, but before he does, Chang
kicks him hard in the chest, sending him back down to the floor.
JULIAN
I’m sorry…
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Do you have anything to say?
JULIAN
Don’t hurt her.
He kicks him in the stomach.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Do you have anything to say?
JULIAN
I’m sorry…
Chang kicks him again – like you would kick a dog… Juilan groans.
Chang squats down next to him.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
What do you expect me to do?
JULIAN
I don’t know… I’m sorry.
Chang gets up and walks on. He stops and turns round.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
Come on.
Julian stumbles to his feet. The party continue. We see that one
of the crew is carrying an axe.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD / HIGH POINT – DAWN
A couple of wild dogs watch as our group reach a high point.
Chang looks down at Julian who is lying on the ground. The crew
stand in the background with Mai.
Chang sits next to Julian.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
When you were born – what’s the first
thing you remember seeing?
A beat as Julian struggles to understand Chang’s question… Chang
stares at him.
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
What do you remember?
Beat.
JULIAN
Dark… Darkness.
Chang looks at him in a strange way – like this answer has some
meaning for him.
CHANG
(IN THAI)
And do you ever see light?
Julian shakes he’s head.
JULIAN
No… Never.
Chang considers this answer for a long moment. He gets up and
returns to Mai – stares at her….
CHANG
(IN THAI)
I am the Angel of Vengeance… I restore
order and karma. I love all living
things…
Mai just stares at him – too frightened to move.
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
…I want you to walk away from here
now… Do you understand?
Mai nods.
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
Good.
Chang smiles at her.
CHANG (CONT’D)
(IN THAI)
Go with God.
Mai turns and leaves. Chang watches her disappear into the field.
Chang takes the axe off Phaiban and turns back to Julian.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD – DAWN
Mai walks through the field, alone.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD / HIGH POINT – DAWN
Chang leans down next to Julian and whispers something into
Julian’s ear – so softly that we cannot hear it. Whatever it says
it instantly has an effect on Julian. He visibly relaxes.
He doesn’t make a sound as he’s held down. A plastic strap is
tied around his arm as a tourniquet. His arm is pulled out.
Chang swings the axe and chops off first his left hand and then
his right.
Julian grits his teeth throughout. Doesn’t scream.
Chang picks up the severed hands and throws them to the wild dogs.
The dogs tear into the meat, fighting over their prize.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD – DAWN
Chang and his men walk back towards the car.
MUSIC KICKS IN once again… the Karaoke version of John Denver’s
country and western ballad…
CHANG (V.O.)
Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue ridge mountains
Shenandoah river –
Life is old there
Older than the trees
Younger than the mountains
Growin’ like the breeze.
CUT TO:
EXT. BANGKOK – DAY
We see various scenes of every day life in Bangkok.
CHANG (V.O.)
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads
CUT TO:
EXT. SCHOOL – DAY
We see kids waiting outside the school for their parents to pick
them up. Kanita spots Chang, runs towards him and they embrace.
CHANG (V.O.)
All my memories gathered round her
Miners lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine
Teardrops in my eye.
Chang and Kanita disappear into a crowd of policemen.
CUT TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR – NIGHT
Chang is in his element. Singing like a cowboy.
CHANG
Country roads, take me home
to the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads..
The Cops sit and watch him. Their leader… Their God…
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL – DAY
Julian is lying in hospital. Bandages covering the terrible wounds
where his hands once were.
Mai is sitting beside him. Spoon feeding him food.
CHANG (V.O.)
I hear my voice
In the mornin’ hour she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
And drivin’ down the road I get a feelin’
That I should have been home yesterday,
YESTERDAY
CUT TO:
EXT. HEATHROW AIRPORT – DAY
An aeroplane lands.
CHANG (V.O.)
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
INT. CUSTOMS – DAY
Jenna is in the process of being strip searched by the authorities.
Zero dignity.
CHANG (V.O.)
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads
As one of the Custom’s Officers puts on a rubber glove, Jenna
starts to scream out obscenities at them. Mask off, a real monster
underneath, flailing around for all to see.
CUT TO:
INT. KARAOKE BAR – NIGHT
Chang keeps singing.
CHANG
Country roads, take me home
to the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads
Take me home, country roads
Take me home, country roads
And we end CLOSE on Chang. With the sense that the ‘country roads’
have kind of taken both of them home…
CUT TO:
THE END
